Riccarton goalkeeping department is being reorganised

Paul Gallacher has left his role as Hearts goalkeeping coach, paving the way for Gordon Marshall to take up the role. Gallacher was in the job for 10 years but reorganisation at Riccarton means he is now moving on. Marshall, 62, is poised to leave his role as St Johnstone’s goalkeeping coach to replace Gallacher in Edinburgh.

Marshall previously worked with Hearts head coach Derek McInnes at Aberdeen and the two are now ready to be reunited. The Tynecastle side enter Champions League qualifiers in July and Marshall holds the required licence to work in Europe’s top tournament having passed his UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma.

He previously coached at Hibs, Motherwell, St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Alloa Athletic, Queen of the South and Hamilton Academical. Born in Edinburgh, his father, Gordon Snr, was part of the legendary Hearts team of the 1960s. He won two league titles and three Scottish Cups with as part of the finest side in the Gorgie club’s history.

Hearts issued a statement confirming Gallacher’s departure. It read: “Heart of Midlothian can confirm that goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher will depart the club at the end of his contract this summer.

‘Gal’ initially joined the club in 2016, in a player-coach capacity, under the stewardship of Robbie Neilson, as he began to wind down his near 20-year professional playing career. During his time between the sticks, Gallacher featured for the likes of Dundee United, St Mirren, Dunfermline, Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday and Partick Thistle, his final club before joining the Jambos, he also received eight caps for Scotland between 2002-04.

“Despite the managerial changes at the club over the years, Paul has remained a source of stability, coaching a number of Hearts' stoppers including Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, Jon McLaughlin and Alexander Schwolow. Gal has also been instrumental in improving the next generation of Hearts goalkeepers, which include Jack Lyon, Harry Stone and Liam McFarlane. Everyone at the club wishes Gal all the best for the future and thanks him for his ten-years as a dedicated member of staff.”

Hearts are making changes on and off the field this summer as they prepare for European football. A number of new signings will arrive and the club confirmed earlier today that four first-team members are moving on as their contracts expire. Defenders Frankie Kent and Lewis Neilson, midfielder Beni Baningime and winger Alan Forrest are all heading for pastures new.

The club are in talks over a deal for French striker Amadou Ba-Sy. He is contracted to the French third-tier side Rouen until 2027 and would cost more than €200,000 [£173,000. Hearts already have St Johnstone winger Josh McPake signed on a pre-contract and French midfielder Tom Renaud is also due to move to Edinburgh. Progress is being made with other targets like Falkirk winger Calvin Miller and English defenders MJ Kamson-Kamara and Malachi Fagan-Walcott.

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