Hearts seek contract answers
Hearts head coach Neil Critchley wants answers regarding soon to be out of contract players Craig Gordon and Lawrence Shankland by the end of the season. (Record), externalStephen Kingsley admits Hearts have not been good enough this season. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), externalRead Saturday's Scottish gossip
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Edinburgh Reporter
3 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hearts jet to Spain to prepare for new season
Spain has been confirmed as the destination for Heart of Midlothian FC as they prepare for the season under new head coach Derek McInnes. The Men in Maroon jet to the Iberian coast in late June for seven days and they can look forward to double and even triple training sessions. Gym work will also be on the agenda as the Jambos gear up for their season opener against Dunfermline Athletic at Tynecastle on Saturday, July 12 in the Premier Sports Cup (17.15). Hearts will also take part in a closed-doors friendly against Crawley Town who play in the English League Two. McInnes told the club's official website: 'Trips like these are a vital part of preparing properly for the season ahead. 'It is also good for the players to spend time with each other.' Meanwhile, the seat move window for existing season ticket holders is now open and any fans looking to relocate should visit the Ticket Office at Tynecastle Park. Seat moves are limited, however, due to the high rates of renewal. Finally, Craig Gordon's Testimonial is against Sunderland at Tynecastle on Saturday, July 26 (3pm). PICTURE: Craig Gordon courtesy of David Mollison Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Hearts ‘make transfer offer' for Nigerian striker, 19, amid Lawrence Shankland exit rumours
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTS have made an offer for a Nigerian teenage striking sensation, a report suggests. Derek McInnes is keen to add centre-forwards to his squad ahead of the new season, with the increasing likelihood that Lawrence Shankland could be leaving Tynecastle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Derek McInnes is eyeing up some reinformcements for the new season Credit: SNS 2 Uchenna Ogundu is only 19 but Jamestown Analytics have been tracking him Credit: Uchenna Ogundu SunSport understands the Scotland cap has remained in talks with the Jambos about a possible contract extension but with interest from West Brom and Saudi Arabia, it will take a lot to tempt him to stay in Edinburgh. It's being reported that Hearts have put forward an offer to sign Uchenna Ogundu from Turkish second-tier side Sanliurfaspor. The Edinburgh Evening News claims the 19-year-old is wanted by a host of clubs across Europe, both on the continent and in the UK. Hull City, Sturm Graz, Fortuna Sittard and Gornik Zabrze have all been mentioned as interested parties. Turkish giants Fenerbahce and fellow Super Lig outfit Samsunspor have also been credited with interest. It's claimed that Fenerbahce would view him as more of a project and could potentially let the player leave on loan, keeping the door open for a move to Hearts. Ogundu has two years remaining on his contract at Sanliurfaspor. The same outlet also reported that the Jambos are in talks with Portuguese striker Claudio Braga. He could cost around in excess of £400,000 from Norwegian second-tier side Aalesund FK. Ogundu moved to Turkey last August from Diamond Academy in his native Nigeria. Robbie Neilson Released by Rangers, finding a home at Hearts, and splitting the Old Firm He scoring six goals and provided two assists in 19 appearances for Sanliurfaspor after making his debut in January. The Jambos' recruitment partner Jamestown Analytics have reportedly been monitoring the striker for some time. Ogundu stands at 6ft 2in tall and can also play as a right winger. SunSport also understands McInnes is close to completing a deal for trusted defender Stuart Findlay. The big centre-back started his career at Celtic as a youngster before heading down south to join Newcastle in 2016 - after loan spells at Morton, Dumbarton and Kilmarnock. He then became a key player under McInnes over the last two years. Hearts have already pushed through the signings of Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek wide man Alexandros Kyziridis and Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee, whilst making Belgian striker Elton Kabangu's loan a permanent transfer. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
When is Rangers Champions League draw and who could Russell Martin's side face in qualifiers?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN only started work as the new Rangers head coach this week. But time doesn't wait for anyone - especially not in Scottish football - and particularly when it comes to the Champions League qualifiers this summer. 2 Rangers will be back in the Champions League draw again Credit: Getty 2 Rangers lost in Champions League qualifying to Dynamo Kyiv last year Credit: PA Rangers will enter Uefa's top competition at the second qualifying round stage. Winning that tie is of paramount importance to Gers as it will significantly impact how difficult it could become to secure European group stage football of some sort for the season ahead. The Light Blues made another deep run in Europe last season, reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League before losing to Athletic Bilbao. They'll start a level above for this campaign and will hope to improve on their last showing in the Champions League proper when they finished with the worst record of any team during the 2022-23 season (Gers failed to qualify at all last year). Here's all you need to know for the Champions League draw, when Rangers will find out who they play. When is the Champions League second qualifying round draw? The Champions League second qualifying round draw will be held on Wednesday, June 18 It will be held at the House of European Football in Berne, Switzerland Proceedings will get underway at around 11am UK time Are Rangers seeded for the draw? Yes, Rangers are seeded for the Champions League second qualifying round draw Their club coefficient ensures they will be in the League Path for the qualifying rounds For the second qualifying round, they are seeded alongside Red Bull Salzburg and Viktoria Plzen Who could Rangers face in the Champions League second qualifying round? Rangers will face either Panathinaikos, Servette or Brann in the Champions League second qualifying round All three of those teams are unseeded Like Rangers, all three of those sides finished second in their respective leagues When are the the Champions League second qualifying round fixtures? The first leg of the ties will take place on 22/23 July The second legs will be held on 29/30 July What happens if Rangers lose in the second qualifying round? If Rangers lose in the second qualifying round, they will drop into the Europa League third qualifying round as an UNSEEDED team. Moment Ally McCoist interrupts live radio to congratulate his 'wee pal' on signing for Rangers That would put them at the mercy of some strong sides on the continent. Anderlecht, Braga, Midtjylland and PAOK are all confirmed as seeded sides in the Europa League third qualifying round. Those fixtures are scheduled for 7 and 14 August and there is NO parachute into the Europa Conference League league phase for the losers at this stage. Instead, Gers would face a play-off to reach the group stages. It's hard to say whether the Glasgow side would be seeded here or not as the 26 winners of the Conference League's third qualifying round and the other four would-be losers in the Europa League third qualifying round are obviously yet to be determined. Of the team current in the picture though, only Serie A outfit Fiorentina have a higher club coefficient than Gers. But in the worst case scenario, Rangers would be OUT of Europe by the middle of August. What happens if Rangers win in the Champions League second qualifying round? A win in the the second qualifying round would guarantee group stage football for Russell Martin's Gers. That's because the losers of the Champions League third qualifying round drop into the league phase of the Europa League. And if Rangers win the third qualifying round tie as well then they would of course go into the play-off round. It's straightforward from there: win and it's into the Champions League proper, lose and it's the Europa League league phase once again. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
