Wouter Vrancken reassures Hearts about leadership after key departures

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 11, 2026, 2:23 PM

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

Wouter Vrancken reassures Hearts about leadership after key departures

Summary

Hearts' new head coach Wouter Vrancken expressed confidence in the team's leadership despite losing key players Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin to Rangers. With vice-captain Craig Halkett sidelined until 2027 due to injury, Vrancken emphasized the presence of other leaders such as Stephen Kingsley and Jamie McCart. The club has made seven signings this summer and is seeking a deep-lying midfielder to replace Devlin. Vrancken confirmed that there are currently no concrete offers for striker Claudio Braga, who has been linked to Lyon and Ipswich Town.

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Status Watch

•Hearts lost captain Lawrence Shankland and vice-captain Craig Halkett.
•Wouter Vrancken highlights several remaining leaders in the squad.
•Craig Halkett is out until 2027 with an injury.
•Hearts made seven signings this summer and seeks a deep-lying midfielder.
•No concrete offers for striker Claudio Braga have been made.

Latest Updates

2:23 PMYahoo Sports — Hearts not short of leaders, insists boss Vrancken

What they're saying

"
Hearts may have lost Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin to Rangers, but new head coach Wouter Vrancken is sure his squad is still full of leaders. Shankland had been the captain at Tynecastle, while vice-captain Craig Halkett is not expected to play before 2027 as he recovers from injury. Experienced duo Frankie Kent and Beni Baningime have also moved on, but Vrancken, who arrived from Sint-Truiden last month, is not worried.
— Yahoo Sports

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