DR Congo midfielder speaks on the Scottish Premiership title challenge

Philosophy would have been an apt profession for Beni Baningime if he didn’t succeed in professional football. His calm and measured manner helps him process adversity and success with equal composure. Never too up, never too down. So, with Hearts top of the Scottish Premiership, the midfielder is delighted but not bursting his brain in a fit of euphoria. Equally, his contract expires in June and there have been no talks over an extension, a situation he also takes in his stride.

Baningime chooses his words carefully when asked about his future. He arrived at Tynecastle Park from Everton in summer 2021, signed an extension two years ago, and remains one of the most influential players in his position in Scotland. A new deal would seem a no-brainer to anyone witnessing his authoritative displays this season. At Hearts, every transfer and contract goes through the club’s data partner, Jamestown Analytics. It remains to be seen if those in charge deem Baningime worthy of another deal.

Speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh News, the 27-year-old is as open and honest as he can be after returning from seven weeks out injured. “It’s still early. There haven’t been any contract discussions,” he says. “Those things take care of themselves. If you are playing well and the team is playing well, then those things will take care of themselves. I’m just back from injury so I’m just thinking about trying to stay fit. If you were in my head and I was to tell you what I think about, then that isn’t it. I’ll be so real with you. Things will sort themselves out and we will see what the future holds.”

Asked if he is disappointed not being invited for talks, Baningime explains that a lengthy chat with head coach Derek McInnes means he knows where he stands. “The club has a way of doing things. I have had a chat with the manager. We had a good chat and we both know where we stand,” he says. “Right now, it’s just about trying to sort it out whenever that time is. I don’t really get emotional about these things. I’m trying to be as honest as I can with you without sounding like I’m saying something crazy. Me and the manager did have a really good talk but right now there aren’t any negotiations. I think that’s because of injuries. I’m not really focused on the fact there hasn’t been any talks. I’m focused on football and everything else will get sorted out.”

The Congolese employs his philosophical side again when assessing chances of reclaiming a place in the Hearts team. A late substitute in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Rangers, he is short on match sharpness ahead of Saturday’s Edinburgh derby with Hibs at Easter Road because of that hamstring-enforced lay-off. Cammy Devlin, Oisin McEntee and Tomas Magnusson fared pretty well in his absence.

“That’s what you need, that competition,” says Baningime. “Tomas and Oisin are a bit different to me but they are very effective and they have been very good since I’ve been out. The best thing that could happen for me on Sunday, after not training a lot, was for those boys to do as well as they did. Then I come on near the end. It’s not just a one-man show here. It’s not about just missing Cammy or Shanks [Lawrence Shankland] or me or Stu [Findlay] or Halks [Craig Halkett]. We are a team and we have depth. I need to get myself back into the team and those lads need to keep me out. Right now, they are doing a very good job.”

Strength in depth is vital if Hearts want to stay top of the league. Baningime’s return is timely ahead of a crucial Festive period. “Sunday was a tough game to come on in. It was end-to-end and I was blowing, as usual,” he laughs. “I feel great now. My hamstring feels great. I’m just glad it played out like that and I could come on when we were 2-0 up. It was my target to get back for the Rangers game and I managed to train beforehand. I just wanted to help the team. I didn’t know how long I would get but it’s the perfect scenario to come on at 2-0.”

And what about a title challenge in 2026? Many supporters are starting to wonder if Hearts might just last the distance and take this campaign down to the wire while being chased by Celtic and Rangers. Not forgetting Motherwell in third place. It’s a different situation for the Tynecastle players. Only substitute goalkeeper Craig Gordon has won the Scottish league title so far in his career.

“It’s the generic answer that it’s another three points, and ultimately it is. But there’s a buzz around the place and that’s natural,” admits Baningime. “Everyone has been working for this moment that we are in right now. Of course, you have to look at the possibility of winning it and whatever. But these guys at Rangers and Celtic are used to this every year. This is a bit new to us. For us to look beyond the next game would be foolish.

“If you look ahead and start thinking about the last 10 games of the season or something, you can end up losing your spot. We are 12 points ahead of Rangers, that’s four games, and that’s a big gap. Ultimately, Rangers have experienced boys like James Tavernier and Celtic have the likes of Callum McGregor. They have done it year in and year out, but it’s new for us. We have to keep our heads down and that’s the best way to deal with it.

“There’s a lack of experience being in this situation but there is hunger. I wouldn’t call Sunday a statement win because there are so many games still to play. It is an exciting time, but we need to just keep our heads down. The more this is going on, the more we believe. That belief can also kill you, in a way. That’s the message from the gaffer. In our minds, we have to be thinking we can win every game, but you also have to understand the competition. The mentality should be: ‘Yes, believe, but one game at a time. Keep your composure.’

“It’s going to get harder because everyone is saying: ‘Hearts are the team to beat.’ It’s not as simple as the first 10 games. It gets harder. The pressure is more. It’s how you handle the pressure and the outside noise because the fans are going to be buzzing. As a team, we have to understand that we have a great chance. If we can keep our feet down, then it can be a great season for us.”