Some have blamed management teams for not giving enough first-team opportunities. Others have wondered whether it's a lack of quality coming through. With this in mind, we've looked back over previous seasons to see where graduates who've made their debut have ultimately ended up.
This list doesn't include those who came over to Hearts after graduating from other academies following their 16th birthday, like Rory Currie and Jamie Brandon, nor does it include players brought over from abroad like Marcus Godinho or Aleks Petkov. We've also limited it to debutants who broke through after the club's return to the top flight in 2015.
9. Cammy Logan
Another debutant from that day at Rugby Park, Logan was expected to be the alternative option at right wing-back for the 2021/22 season after a successful loan spell at Cove Rangers but injury ultimately cost him his chance. After a few loan deals he left this summer to join Queen of the South permanently. Photo: SNS Group Ross Parker
10. Connor Smith
The only player on this list to make his debut prior to 2020 and still be at the club. Smith has found first-team opportunities difficult to come by since making his Premiership bow in that match against Killie, but he played 13 times in all competitions last year and Hearts saw enough to give him another one-year contract extension this summer. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
11. Leeroy Makovora
The third player from that match in Ayrshire and, like the other two, it would be his only game for the Hearts first-team. Signed with Civil Service Strollers after leaving in 2021 and now with Penicuik Athletic. Photo: SNS Group Ross Parker
12. Aaron Hickey
Perhaps a controversial inclusion as he officially rejoined Hearts after his 16th birthday having been at Celtic. However, he was a Hearts academy star prior to his move to the Glasgow club as a young teenager, so let's give Hearts a break by throwing in this undoubted success story. Hickey made his debut at Parkhead, excelled in the 2019 Scottish Cup final, had an excellent season the following campaign and eventually signed for Verona in a seven-figure transfer. Now with Brentford. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group