Hearts to Appoint Set-Piece Specialist Amid Summer Overhaul
Hearts are set to bring in a new specialist coach this summer as part of a broader shake-up aimed at revitalizing both the squad and backroom staff. The Tynecastle board has approved the addition of a set-piece expert to the coaching team at Riccarton, aligning the club with a growing trend among elite sides in modern football.
The incoming coach will be tasked with refining Hearts’ approach to corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins on both sides of the ball, with the goal of improving set-play efficiency. The appointment is expected to be finalized ahead of the new season, during what promises to be a busy transfer window.
Significant changes are also anticipated within the playing squad. Several current players, including club captain Lawrence Shankland and winger Barrie McKay, are tipped to depart, while new arrivals will include Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, who has signed a pre-contract agreement to join from Valerenga in June.
Currently, the Hearts coaching staff includes head coach Neil Critchley, assistant Mike Garrity, first-team coach Liam Fox, and goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher, alongside sports scientist Mike Williams and physiotherapists Craig Maitland and Claire Rankin. The set-piece coach will work in close collaboration with this group to elevate the team’s tactical execution.
Fan frustration has mounted after Hearts failed to secure a spot in the Premiership’s top six. A goalless draw against Motherwell last weekend saw the team fall to seventh, missing out on the top half of the table to St Mirren as the league split.
This weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Aberdeen at Hampden Park now stands as Hearts’ most critical fixture of the campaign. With over 20,000 fans expected to travel to Glasgow, the pressure is on to deliver.
“This is clearly a huge game,” said Critchley. “While we treat it as the next challenge, we fully understand its significance. We’ve fought hard to reach this stage and faced real adversity along the way. Now we need to embrace the opportunity and perform.”
Critchley also emphasized the team’s progress since his arrival, saying, “There’s been improvement, and despite setbacks, I believe in this group. In this industry, emotions run high, but I have to stay focused and think long-term—without ever losing sight of what’s right in front of us.”
“We talk about development and implementing ideas, but that all has to come through on the pitch. It’s about actions now. On Saturday, we have to back it all up with a performance that gives us every chance to reach the final.”
