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• Steven Naismith gets new job title as he agrees deal to continue leading Hearts

  Steven Naismith will remain in charge of Hearts but with a new title of technical director.

  Naismith has signed a two-year deal – with the option of a further 12 months – after stepping in as interim manager for the last seven games of the season following the sacking of Robbie Neilson.

  After keeping the club in fourth place in the cinch Premiership to seal a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, Naismith cannot act as the club’s manager or head coach in those games because he has not completed his Pro-Licence coaching badge.

  So Frankie McAvoy has been named head coach with Naismith given the fresh title. Gordon Forrest remains as first-team coach and Paul Gallacher continues as goalkeeping coach.

  Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay told the club’s website: “We are thrilled to confirm Steven, Frankie and Gordon as our coaching team.

  “We received a number of excellent applications, and, after a robust recruitment process, we believe the three were the best candidates to lead us into next season while sharing our vision for the club’s future.

  “Steven is an outstanding young coach with a strong track record of improving players whilst also displaying a commitment to blooding young talent through the ranks.”

  Former Preston manager McAvoy, previously assistant to Alex Neil at several clubs, joined Hearts as head of the youth academy in February 2022 while Forrest followed Neilson from Dundee United in 2020.

  McKinlay said: “Frankie has vast experience from his time coaching on both sides of the border and possesses an impressive track record of developing talent. Gordon, of course, is very familiar with the club already. He’s an outstanding presence on the training pitch and a very gifted coach.”

  Sporting director Joe Savage added: “We’ve been really impressed with all three of them, there’s a fantastic dynamic there and we believe they’ve earned this opportunity.

  “They want to continue playing in a style that the fans like and the players enjoy. I think the performances spoke for themselves – you could tell the players really bought into what they were trying to achieve.

  “Steven has had a wonderful playing career and worked towards this for a long time. He’s got a style and identity that I like and agree with. I think we’ll work together well to develop and enhance this team.

  “I’ve known Frankie a long time from working together at Hamilton, Norwich and Preston. He brings a wealth of experience and has a history of developing young players who have been sold for millions of pounds. In his time as academy director, you can see the influence he’s had already.

  “Speak to anyone about Gordon Forrest and they’ll tell you what a top coach he is. Gordon’s brilliant on the grass, brilliant in taking sessions and that’s been utilised really well. They’re all good foils for each other and bounce ideas around together.

  “The sky’s the limit. The three have shown in a short space of time what good ideas they have. Let’s see how far we can go because we’ve got a great chance to build something really special at Hearts.”

• Everton’s Amadou Onana to miss Belgium’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers

  Everton midfielder Amadou Onana will miss Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifiers later this month with a groin problem.

  The 21-year-old was scheduled to be in the squad to face Austria on June 17 and Estonia the following Tuesday.

  “Amadou Onana will not feature for Belgium in upcoming internationals due to a minor groin injury and will return to Finch Farm to be treated by club medical staff,” said an Everton statement.

  “He is expected to be fit for the start of Everton’s pre-season training next month.”

• No sendoff game, but Donaldson says upcoming camp will suffice in making final World Cup squad selection

  Lorne Donaldson has expressed concerns about aspects of his senior Reggae Girlz transitional play ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup, but at the same time, he remains optimistic that the playing philosophy will come together in time for the global showpiece.

  Donaldson's preparation and plans around the make-up of his final 23-player squad for the July 20 to August 20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, has been dogged by injuries to key players and unconvincing performances at times, more recently in a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in England.

  That has forced the tactician and his assistants Xavier Gilbert and Ak Lakhani to conduct further assessments, with an upcoming camp scheduled for June 11-20 in Kingston, representing the last opportunity for players to impress the coaching staff.

  "We didn't get a chance to do what we wanted to do in England so after this camp, we can select the final 23 and then we fly to Amsterdam on July 1 and the real preparation to fine tune our team chemistry, the speed of our transitional play and playing philosophy starts there," Donaldson shared.

  "We will of course also take a close look at how we defend, but that's something the whole team must be involved in, not just the back line. So, our final decision in terms of the players we take to the World Cup is going to be done on the basis of who is ready to play right now," he declared.

  Though the initial plans bringing the team to the island was for a two-match sendoff series, Donaldson explained that there were logistical issues in securing the games and so the just over a week-long camp will have to suffice.

  "We would have loved a sendoff game but the logistics around the game is very difficult and that is nobody's fault. So, there is disappointment that we won't get a game, but I think we will get a lot out of the camp because we need to look at some players and I think that will help us to get a better evaluation of where the players are," Donaldson added.

  Former captain Konya Plummer, who is still working her way back to full fitness coming off maternity leave and winger Trudi Carter, are among the 26 players Donaldson intends to invite for the camp.

  "Players like a Konya and Trudi and other players have been without a club so we need to make sure that we know where they are, and we still might have one or two young players come in.  But again, our final decision is going to be based on who is ready to play right now.

  "Yes, there are some players who are safe, but they still have to show something because the players coming in are going to push them. We can't live in the past we have to look at what we have now and select the best team possible to show up at the World Cup and perform," the head coach stated.

  But beyond that, Donaldson pointed out that he is already looking to position the programme for the next cycle.

  "The younger players will be key for the next World Cup cycle, so we have to look at the squad to find a balance. We have a lot of young players with potential and as you know the next cycle includes the Women’s Gold Cup and all those games that we will be playing," he reasoned.

  "So, it's a good to start getting those players involved from now in international competition because we won't always get the English-based and European-based players for those games. We have to broaden the pool of players and make sure other people are getting a chance to see what the international stage is like," Donaldson ended.