Football Season Guide

Hearts suffered yet another unspectacular season under the stewardship of Craig Levein last year, finishing sixth in a campaign of poor football. The Jambos have moved to make some big summer-signings this summer. Still, however, fan discontent is at an all-time high as Hearts struggled in making it out of their Betfred Cup group. The most exciting of the lot is Jamie Walker, who will immediately come in and add some quality to either left-wing or the number 10 position. It gives Levein some flexibility now, with a lack of a real natural number 10 evident last season. Another big addition is that of Craig Halkett, who wowed so many at Livingston last season and adds real quality in depth to the defensive ranks. Both Christophe Berra and John Souttar can now be rotated with, hopefully, no drop in quality at centre-back. But the football continues to be too route one for many Hearts supporters. The problem Hearts have is they don't have sufficient quality up top to play that game at the moment. They have re-signed Steven Naismith, this time permanently, and he'll now be hoping to take up the striking mantle that nobody else has. Ryan Edwards, Arnaud Djoum and Connor Sammon have also left, reducing the quality Hearts now have in going forward. They'll hope that Conor Washington can prove to be a source of inspiration up front, but he could need to battle with Uche Ikpeazu for the striking role, as Levein continues to persist with a one-striker formation. Hearts still look a soft touch going forward heading into the new campaign, but expect them to be as resolute as ever at the back with Halkett's signing.