Laurie Ellis Lands New Role at Hearts After SPFL Stints with Queen’s Park and Dundee United
Rangers youth coach Laurie Ellis is set to depart Ibrox for a new role at Hearts, where he’ll take on a senior position at the club’s Riccarton-based youth academy. A lifelong fan of the Tynecastle outfit, Ellis will become the Head of Academy Coaching, working closely with Academy Director Andy Webster.
Since July 2022, Ellis has been in charge of Rangers’ under-15 and under-16 teams, helping them secure a third-place finish at the prestigious Alkass International Cup in Qatar, finishing behind Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Now, he gets the chance to help shape the next generation at the club he supported growing up.
Hearts have been looking to strengthen their academy with experienced personnel, and Ellis fits the bill perfectly. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has extensive coaching experience, having managed Queen’s Park and held senior roles at Dundee United, Queen of the South, and Raith Rovers. He also spent time working with the Scottish FA’s performance schools.
Ellis will operate primarily behind the scenes at Riccarton, working alongside Webster and Technical Development Manager Shelley Kerr. His focus will be on helping young talents transition from the academy setup into Hearts’ B team and, eventually, the senior squad. Known for his leadership as a player—where he captained Raith Rovers and also turned out for St Mirren, Cowdenbeath, and Stirling Albion—Ellis was honored with a testimonial against Hearts in 2012. Now, he returns in a coaching capacity.
Developing young players remains a key part of Hearts’ long-term strategy, with over £1 million invested annually in the Riccarton academy. Recent academy graduates like James Wilson, Macaulay Tait, Adam Forrester, Aidan Denholm, and Finlay Pollock are now integrated into the first team and will start pre-season under new head coach Derek McInnes.
Hearts’ Youth Pathway Leads to First-Team Opportunities
The club’s website outlines a comprehensive pathway for academy players, beginning from age six. The development model gradually intensifies, focusing on technical skills, passing, movement, and game intelligence. Youngsters are encouraged to express themselves in matches while learning Hearts’ core playing principles and tactical understanding.
Each player receives guidance from a team of dedicated coaches, performance analysts, and sports scientists, all backed by elite medical staff. Hearts also partner with Heriot-Watt University to enhance their academy operations.
The success of Hearts’ youth development philosophy relies on collaboration across all levels of the club, from academy coaches to the first-team management. The structure and belief within the system are designed to foster home-grown talent capable of making a lasting impact at Tynecastle.
