Heart of Midlothian

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Influential midfielder Cammy Devlin could return for Hearts' Premiership trip to Kilmarnock next weekend, says head coach Derek McInnes.

The Australia international has been out since mid-January with an ankle injury, while striker Lawrence Shankland, defender Stephen Kingsley and midfielder Oisin McEntee are also currently sidelined.

But McInnes is hopeful Devlin could be back in action for the league leaders sooner than expected while McEntee will be ready next weekend.

"Oisin will be back for Kilmarnock definitely," McInnes told HeartsTV.

"Cammy has taken a step forward in the last couple of days. He had a little injection on Friday just to try and clear a little bit of irritation. I think that's helped.

"Cammy seems to think he's got a chance for Kilmarnock, it'll probably be more likely Dundee [on 21 March]. But while he's got that in his head, we're not going to rule that out for him at the minute.

"So it'll be good to have Oisin back and even better if Cammy can make himself available for that.

"Kingsley and Lawrence will hopefully be back before Dundee."

McInnes was quick to praise midfielder Marc Leonard, who joined in January on loan from Birmingham City and has been filling in for the absent Devlin.

"Marc Leonard has been the one player who's come in in January and been a mainstay," McInnes added.

"That says a lot about him. He's got real confidence, he reminds me a wee bit of Kenny McLean when I had him at Aberdeen. I think he's going to have a real top career and be a future Scotland international."

With nine games remaining Hearts are on course on become the first non-Old Firm side to win the title in over 40 years - but McInnes insists it is not now or never for the Tynecastle men.

"I don't think that's factually correct," he said. "We feel as if we're going to get better as we go on.

"I think what we've got is that in every transfer window we'll improve and hopefully this is something that becomes normal for us, not just every 40 years challenging for the title.

"It pleases me that we're relevant still at this stage, it pleases me with how long we've been top of the league and regardless of how the season plays out we'll be really pleased with our work.

"But now with the games to go it's important we try and maximise our opportunity."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

When Falkirk knocked Hearts out of the Scottish Cup on penalties in mid-January, there were a few moans and groans from the stands that another opportunity for silverware had gone.

But ask those same supporters now whether they would have traded a cup run for their current league position and you won't find many takers.

Who would have believed that, with just nine games left, Hearts would be sitting so commandingly in the table? Beyond Tynecastle Park, whispers are growing louder that history may yet be rewritten.

The four fixtures before the split will be pivotal, yet Derek McInnes and his players can approach them with real confidence.

Across eight league meetings this season with Kilmarnock, Dundee, Livingston and Motherwell, Hearts remain unbeaten - five wins and three draws underlining their consistency.

Indeed, Motherwell are the only side Hearts have yet to defeat this season, a quirk that adds extra intrigue to the run-in.

The enforced pause, brought about by that cup exit to Falkirk, may yet prove a blessing in disguise. Several players have been nursing bumps and bruises and this break offers a timely chance to rest and reset before Hearts head to Killie a week on Saturday.

And with both Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland reportedly making strong progress in their recoveries, supporters can afford to enjoy the breather.

What lies ahead could be a run-in to remember.

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Claudio Braga has opened up on the Hearts' dressing room, revealing which player "scared" him when he arrived in Edinburgh and which player reminds him of a "five-year-old".

Speaking on the Scottish Football Social Club, external, the Portuguese forward was grilled on his team-mates.

"Craig Halkett, you look at him and he's always so serious," Braga said. "When I came, I was scared of him because every time he joked, he didn't look like he was joking. I would think 'Damn, I've messed up.'

"With Cammy [Devlin], he's just annoying. He's a little guy who is trying to make everyone mad, in a funny way. He fines me all the time. Him and Halkett are the fines guys and they fine me a lot. I hate that!"

Not even his captain, Lawrence Shankland, escaped flak

"Shankland, a 30-year-old with a five-year-old's mindset," Braga joked. "Everybody has their strengths when it comes to comedy, but they're so serious in training.

"Everyone can insult each other, demand from each other, but when we get out of training we're laughing."

Braga has been a revelation for Hearts since signing from Norwegian second-tier side Aalesunds last summer, scoring 12 goals in the Premiership as the club's top league scorer.

It's not all been smooth sailing though. Understanding some of the accents around him in the dressing room was tough.

"The worst [to understand]? Now, they try to make the accent less strong... but [Blair] Spittal, [Lawrence] Shankland, James Penrice," Braga revealed.

"When I came, [Penrice] was talking to three or four guys from Glasgow and I thought 'That's not English, for sure.'

"The Scottish guys accept the ones who don't understand. They welcome us really well. Everybody has been so nice and you have a lot of funny guys - maybe too funny. It's a great locker room."

The 26-year-old was also full of praise for manager Derek McInnes, who has led Hearts to an unlikely title charge.

"[Derek] is good," Braga said. "When he talks, everybody listens. He can be a serious guy, but say crazy jokes out of nowhere.

"He's helped me a lot in my performances and he helps a lot of other players in our team. We get energy and fight for each other like a family."

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

It was fitting that in front of Sir Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen deployed 1980s-style tactics by trying to kick us off the park.

However, we have enough streetwise players to cope with it. And even Derek McInnes showed a bit of fight in a comical altercation with Dons' Dennis Geiger after the final whistle.

Only league leaders Hearts can cause ourselves defeat at the moment. While we're not blowing teams away, we're controlling games by displaying a doggedness.

The only time I get nervous as a supporter is when McInnes elects to wait until the dying embers of the match to make subs and typically shuts up shop by adding more defenders to grind out the win.

I still have flashbacks to that home match last December when we dropped two points to Kilmarnock by conceding a 90th-minute goal courtesy of an Alexander Schwolow mistake.

There were no such slip-ups against the Dons and the previously maligned Landry Kabore and Michael Steinwender both impressed, but I've got to talk about Harry Milne and Craig Halkett.

It looks a cert both will feature in the Premiership team of the year because of the consistent level of performances they've shown.

If these guys aren't included in Steve Clarke's next Scotland squad, I'd be really surprised. Halkett's inclusion looks more straightforward given the dearth of centre-back options and the fact Grant Hanley is injured.

Milne has more competition at left-back but should be worth a punt, especially as he offers great versatility having also been deployed at right wing this season.

I have yet to hear one supporter say we really miss last season's player of the year James Penrice and that is a massive compliment to Milne.

Claudio Braga has now netted 15 times and is on course to become just the second Hearts player - after captain Lawrence Shankland - to hit the 20-goal milestone in 34 years.

You cannot fail to be charmed with Claudio, especially after a vlog emerged this week where his old team-mate from Moss in Norway came to visit and it was revealed he still had his Christmas tree up in late February!

He might have time to take it down this weekend with no Scottish Cup action for us.

While there's a tinge of disappointment to not be involved in the quarter-finals, no Jambo will give a hoot if we're going into the final couple games of the season in pole position to win the title for the first time in 66 years.

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Former midfielder Andy Halliday does not "see an area of weakness" in a Hearts side he feels are "the real deal".

The Jambos are now firmly in the driving seat to win a historic Scottish Premiership title after their 1-0 victory against Aberdeen was followed by an Old Firm draw.

Derek McInnes' side have responded impressively to a defeat at Ibrox two weeks ago by securing back-to-back home wins.

The Gorgie club now have clear daylight at the summit, six clear of Rangers and eight ahead of Celtic, who have a game in hand.

"I thought it was a very Hearts-like performance on Saturday," ex-Hearts player Halliday said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think that's the third straight 1-0 victory at Tynecastle. Hearts have been that side throughout the season that, once they go ahead in games, it's very, very difficult to then come back and take points off them because I don't see an area of weakness.

"They've got goals throughout the team, Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland are in the top four goalscorers in the league, they're really strong in the middle of the pitch, whether it's Cammy Devlin, Beni Baningime, Marc Leonard or Tomas Magnusson.

"And for me, at the back, they have been absolutely outstanding all season long, Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay. That's without even mentioning the guys that they've got in the flanks, Harry Milne and Alexandros Kyziridis.

"I just don't see a weakness they've got. They've scored goals in the last minute, they're great defensively, good going forward, they've got the best set-piece record in the league.

"So that's the reason why for a long period of time that I've felt as if they're the real deal."

A trio of Motherwell stars, duos from Hearts and Falkirk, and one each from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Dundee.

Jonathan Sutherland has picked his team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Calum Ward - Motherwell

A key part of the Motherwell success story at the back. Yet another clean sheet.

Harry Milne - Hearts

Mr Versatile and Mr Reliable all rolled into one. Another team of the week appearance for Milne. Taking the liberty of forcing this auxiliary dynamo into right-back here.

Luke Graham - Dundee

A goal and an assist from the highly promising Dundee defender. His finish for the Dark Blues was like that of a striker.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Huge goal at a huge time in the Old Firm Derby. The Scotland international has quietly been a big player for Celtic over the past few weeks and will no doubt be a big leader for this side in the finale of this incredible season.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian

There is almost laser precision to his deliveries from the left-hand side. His assist for Owen Elding's header was a perfect example, knowing exactly where to put the ball to elude the defence and allow the striker the best chance to finish.

Elliott Watt - Motherwell

The Motherwell orchestrator has been a key part of the Fir Park ensemble, which continues to hit all the right notes.

The ominous thing for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic is there appears to be no reason why Motherwell cannot keep on winning.

Watt is a central cog in that winning machine. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise's second.

Dylan Tait - Falkirk

Two goals and so much to enjoy from the Falkirk midfielder. Part of a group completely in sync with each other, and loving life under John McGlynn in the top flight.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Has led from the front in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The personification of Hearts this season, plucked by analytics from the relative obscurity of the Norwegian second division to spearheading a title charge threatening to destroy 40 years of Old Firm dominance.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

Another barnstorming weekend for young Barney Stewart. The Grangemouth Harry Kane was on fire against Kilmarnock and was unlucky not to claim another hat-trick.

The story of the university lad now playing Premiership football has been well told, but it's now moved on to just how quickly he has developed into one of the most exciting strikers in the league.

The only thing missing from the McGlynn Falkirk success story was a goal-getting number nine. They have certainly found him.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Talk about a big game player.

Looks decidedly pedestrian at times in more run-of-the-mill fixtures, but when it slams to the big matches against the big teams the 21-year-old has been the man to deliver. And in spectacular style.

His first goal was Scott McTominay-esque, an iconic Old Firm moment. His second was pure gallus opportunism full of ingenuity and initiative.

Tawanda Maswanhise - Motherwell

Another two goals for the jewel in the crown of the Motherwell story. The top scorer in the Premiership, if Maswanhise can stay fit and keep this form going the Steelmen really do have a shot at glory.

Their combination of goals and clean sheets is quite incredible. What an extra dimension Motherwell and Maswanhise have brought to this quite sensational season.

Watch all the action as Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts pick up another three points against Aberdeen.

We asked for your views on Hearts' 1-0 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Ruaridh: Feels a real contradiction, but it was a nervy 1-0 win as well as being a really powerful dominant performance. Time to believe!

Gary: Another win, another three points. Despite the narrow score-line, a comfortable win against a hapless Aberdeen side. Nervy, not because of the opposition but mostly, due to the fact one slip-up could have been costly.

Some great individual performances from Claudio Braga, Blair Spittal and Jamie McCart to name a few. A fortnight off to settle the nerves, then we go again.

Tam: A very professional performance and our goalkeeper was never tested. We could have scored more, but three points is all that matters. Can now sit back and watch Celtic and Rangers battle it out for third and fourth as Motherwell, like us, are better than both of them.

Chris: On paper another 1-0 win at home, but these 1-0s don't tell the whole story. We have been exceptionally comfortable on the whole - Aberdeen didn't manage a shot on target. We played well in stages with players working hard out of possession and I've never been happier in my life to have a free week next weekend.

Steve: Another professional performance which would have been more comfortable if not for some more poor finishing – Pierre Landry Kabore and his causal chip over the keeper is simply not good enough. Tynecastle was loud, Braga adds another million onto his worth and this Hearts still beating. Nine to go.

Harry: I suspected McCart would step in to Stuart Findlay's place with ease and he did, it's unfortunate with our injury issues but having someone as good as McCart waiting to go is fantastic. I'm anticipating the return of Lawrence Shankland more than my newborn by this point. We are so close.

Claudio Braga's solitary goal moved dominant Hearts seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as Aberdeen keeled closer to a bottom-six finish.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

Hearts manager Derek McInnes: "The performance, when you look at the stats and how it felt in there, as if it was more than a 1-0 but we only get the one goal and that's the only thing we're really disappointed with.

"We needed Tynecastle to be like that. We needed to play forward, we needed to pass forward. We needed to try and put Aberdeen under stress. I thought we did that. We scored a really good goal.

"In the main, we defended really well. As a team, we were thoroughly deserving of the three points."

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Hearts teenager Keir McMeekin has been approached to switch allegiances from Scotland to England, with the 16-year-old linked with a move to Manchester City. (Daily Mail), external

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Hearts hope to have Oisin McEntee and Beni Baningime back from injury but are missing Stephen Kingsley (calf), Craig Gordon (shoulder), Ageu (thigh), Cammy Devlin (ankle), Stuart Findlay, Lawrence Shankland, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock (all hamstring).

Aberdeen defender Tom McIntyre will miss out after sustaining an injury against Dundee United.

Liam Morrison is back from suspension and Stuart Armstrong is available following a calf injury. Emmanuel Gyamfi is pushing for a recall, but Mats Knoester (concussion), Kristers Tobers (knee) and Nick Suman (ankle) remain out.

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Tomas Magnusson insists league leaders Hearts need to focus on themselves this weekend and not be sidetracked by how the Old Firm derby result might benefit them.

Derek McInnes' side can go seven points clear by beating Aberdeen on Saturday before nearest challengers Rangers and Celtic meet at Ibrox the following day.

Hearts stretched their lead last weekend when both chasers dropped points and Magnusson knows another "opportunity" now beckons for his side.

Asked what outcome he would like from the Old Firm derby, the Icelandic midfielder said: "I don't know. I just want to win on Saturday.

"Wherever you play, you do check how the other teams are doing. But the results last Sunday, they don't mean anything if we don't win on Saturday.

"Obviously you do check, but it's all about us.

"We know the situation and speak about it and all but I think it's not too difficult blocking out the noise because that's what we've done throughout the season.

"We just think about ourselves and try to be the best on Saturday.

"Every win gives us more confidence and there's 10 games left, so if we can get those wins in, we'll be more confident."

Sir Alex Ferguson, whose Aberdeen team were the last non-Old Firm side to win the title, in 1985, will be at Tynecastle on Saturday as a guest of Hearts boss Derek McInnes.

That is a sign of the growing interest in Hearts' incredible season but Magnusson says the squad are comfortable with the level of scrutiny.

"Obviously we know the situation and speak about it and all but I think it's not too difficult blocking out the noise because that's what we've done throughout the season," he said.

"We just think about ourselves and try to be the best on Saturday. Every win gives us more confidence and there's 10 games left, so if we can get those wins in, we'll be more confident."

Magnusson, who became a father a fortnight ago when his partner gave birth to a baby girl, is enjoying his first season in Scotland after joining from Valur last summer.

"It's been good, my first time abroad playing football," he said. "I've loved every aspect of it, in and out of football. I think it's been good for my development as a player."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Ten matches left. A four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. It is not a scenario many would have predicted 12 months ago for Hearts.

This time last year, Hearts were scrapping to secure a place in the top six – a battle they ultimately lost. The mood was frustration rather than fervour.

Yet football, particularly in Scotland, has a habit of shifting quickly when momentum takes hold. Now the landscape looks very different.

With each fixture, the pressure intensifies. A lead at the summit is both a privilege and a burden. But to their credit, Hearts' players and management have dealt with every test with calm assurance.

There has been no grandstanding, no emotional overreach – only a steady accumulation of points and belief.

That composure has contrasted sharply with events elsewhere.

Both Celtic and Rangers entered the campaign under familiar expectations. At those clubs, challenging for the title is not ambition – it is an obligation.

Yet too often this season, both have faltered. And with that has come fierce criticism from their own supporters.

Hearts, however, have been able to focus on themselves. There is freedom in being the disruptor. All they can do is continue collecting points, and with every win, the tension subtly migrates west along the M8.

That is not to say the path ahead is smooth. The injury list is lengthening at an awkward moment. Squad depth will be tested; resilience will be required.

But adversity can have its uses. Title races are rarely won solely by flair – they demand endurance.

Regardless of personnel against Aberdeen on Saturday, the task will be clear: stay focused, disciplined, and keep the points tally moving in the right direction.

With Celtic and Rangers meeting the following day, the timing is intriguing and an opportunity for Hearts to keep the pressure on.

Hearts manager Derek McInnes believes getting players back fully fit in the spring will feel like a transfer window. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

McInnes insists the Scottish Premiership leaders' warm weather training in Dubai is not "a jolly". (Record - subscription required), external

The entire Hearts squad will head to Dubai, including those recovering from injuries. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

An ever-present in the backline, Hearts now face six weeks without defender Stuart Findlay after he picked up a hamstring injury.

The 30-year-old has played the most Premiership minutes (2,489) of any outfield player this season. In fact, only Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland and Livingston number one Jerome Prior have clocked up more game-time.

With Hearts sitting at the summit of the Premiership having lost just four games and conceded only 24 goals in 28 games, Findlay has had a major part to play.

His 188 clearances is the fourth highest of any player in the top flight, as are his 112 headed clearances. He's won 109 aerial duels, the fifth highest for any defender in the league.

And the centre-back has been chipping in at the other end of the pitch too. His five goals is the second highest for a defender, alongside Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers and Motherwell's Emmanuel Longelo, while he is tied with the pair at the top of the charts for non-penalty goals.

Findlay previously worked with Tynecastle boss Derek McInnes at Kilmarnock and has proved a shrewd - and bargain - signing.

Having initially moved on loan for the season from Oxford United, he was rewarded with a permanent deal last month and will officially become a permanent Hearts player on a two-year contract in the summer.

Findlay - and record signing Ageu - are the latest players added to Hearts' lengthy injury list, but the good news is midfielder Beni Baningime could return from injury for Saturday's home game against Aberdeen.

The likely replacement for Findlay, Jamie McCart, was one of the first signings identified by Jamestown Analytics and now has a chance to prove his worth to McInnes' title-chasing side.

McCart joined the club last January from Rotherham but has started just two league games this season and has played a total of 261 minutes over 12 matches.

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• Since leaving Aberdeen in 2021, Hearts manager Derek McInnes has won all five of his home league games against his former side. Only against three clubs has he enjoyed a longer winning home run in his Scottish top-flight managerial career: Dundee (6 from Aug 2015 to Dec 2018), Kilmarnock (seven from Apr 2013 to Dec 2016), and Hamilton (nine from Feb 2011 to Oct 2018).

• Hearts are unbeaten in 13 home league games against Aberdeen (W9 D4) since a 2-1 reverse in May 2017 under Ian Cathro. In fact, the side playing at home have lost none of the past 25 league matches between the two sides (W19 D6) since that Dons win in 2017.

• After their 1-0 victory in November, Aberdeen could secure back-to-back league victories over Hearts for the first time since August 2019, and first time within a single season since May 2017 (three in a row).

• Hearts, with have 60 points after 28 games, are only the second non-Old Firm club to reach 60 points at this stage of a Scottish top-flight campaign in the 21st century, after Aberdeen in 2014-15 (also 60 in 28) – who were also managed by now Hearts boss McInnes.

• Aberdeen have failed to score in their past six away league games; the last side to go longer without a goal on their travels in the Premiership were Livingston via a run of nine from February to August 2023.

Hearts are considering a move for Rangers centre-back Leon King, with the 22-year-old currently on loan at Ayr United before his Ibrox contract expires in the summer. (Record subscription required), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip