Sporting Director Graeme Jones has sat down with Hearts TV to discuss a number of topics.
The end of the 2025/26 season, Lawrence Shankland's departure, transfers, changes to the backroom staff, and much more.
In a rush? Catch the headlines below:
Q: Starting with matters on the pitch, how do you assess season 25/26?
GJ: "It was a tremendous season of growth for us. Naturally, with how it ended, we all feel a bit deflated, but we can't forget where we were a year ago: we were outside the top six and the position that we were in with the squad.
"So, it's been a tremendous season of growth for us and we've got to take confidence in that going forward. It's okay to feel deflated, but it's huge progress on the park, even if it was bittersweet in the end."
Q: To come so close to winning the title and it ending the way it did. How do you, Derek, and the wider football department come to terms with something like that?
GJ: "I'm immensely proud of what we have achieved. You aim to get to these levels in football and we are naturally disappointed that we've not won the league title. we were a matter of minutes away from doing that, and while we didn't get the fairy tale ending this time we will get it in the future, I have no doubts."
Q: A word on Derek then and the impact that he's had since he joined the club just over 12 months ago now?
GJ: "It's testament to the fact that he's cleared up every single manager of the year award possible. It doesn't come as a surprise to me because I work with him every day and I get to see what he brings day in day out and so I'm delighted that we have him as our manager."
Q: Can you please tell us exactly what happened with regards to Lawrence Shankland leaving the club?
GJ: "The situation with Lawrence a year ago was simple; we as a club had to make a calculation on whether we wanted to keep Lawrence or not, and the only way in which we could keep him was with the deal that was agreed in the end.
"Our calculation was made up of the fact that if we were very successful as a team and Lawrence was very successful in the park, the risk would be that we would lose him at the end of the first season, and I accept that that may be difficult to hear, but I defy anybody to push back against the fact that it was the correct decision for the club that Derek and I took.
"I naturally understand the disappointment that our fans will feel about losing their captain and their striker, but I'm excited by the evolution of this team going into the summer of the players that we'll bring in and the things that we can achieve going forward."
Q: What, if anything, can you tell us about Cammy Devlin's future?
GJ: "Discussions are ongoing with Cammy's representatives and they're positive discussions. I would hope that we will have some form of closure in respect of him staying or leaving in the coming week or so.
It's fantastic news he's made the Australia squad, that was so important to him and for us. We're delighted and proud that he has made that.
Q: Josh McPake and MJ Kamson-Kamara have already been announced, can we expect more to follow and how busy are you on that front?
GJ: "Delighted to get Josh in, obviously he's been known about for some time. MJ is a real talent and prospect, we're delighted with him.
"We've got many more that we have planned and upcoming. Naturally I'm not going to disclose the specifics on anything but that'll be in the coming weeks. My job didn't stop at the end of the season, it just ramped up. We are very active as we will always be in a summer transfer window with the natural way that our process will go with the utilisation of Jamestown."
Q: Tell us about the recent changes to the backroom staff?
GJ: "It's important that Derek has the best system at his disposal to get the best product on the pitch. with the players that we have. We've got a new goalkeeping coach in Gordon Marshall that's coming in, Paul Gallacher is leaving after 10 years, he's been a fantastic servant to the club and we're thankful for everything that he's given us.
"Gordon will be assisted by Jamie MacDonald who'll start his new role as goalkeeping coach analyst. We've also got a new Head of Medical, Steve Walker, who's joined us from Rangers he's already really putting things in place that I think will take us on to a new level in terms of performance support.
"Will Lancefield is moving on as Head of Recruitment to join Luton Town. We'll be actively recruiting a new head of recruitment that will be with us hopefully in the coming month or so."
Q: Change also with the women's team who have won a remarkable first league title. You must be delighted with that success?
GJ: "It's such a milestone for the club considering not that long ago they were almost facing relegation within the restructure. The fact that Eva has been here for that period and has managed to improve the team consistently year on year, which we strive as a club across all areas, is hugely rewarding for us and also great for Eva on a personal level.
"I'm hugely thankful for what she's achieved and she leaves us now and I expect her to go on to higher levels of women's football and we wish her nothing but the best."
Q: 25/26 was a real season to remember. What could make 26/27 even more unforgettable in your eyes?
GJ: "I'm hugely enthused by the levels of what we've got to this season but also what might be capable next season with the recruitment that we've got in place already and what we plan to have in place going forward. With Derek as our manager, we've got best in class and as the team evolves this summer, going into next season, I would hope that we're going to get that year improvement and hopefully some silverware as well.
"It's really important to everybody that we start to get some trophies off the back of the success that we've had this season."
