How did Hearts finish last season? A hugely disappointing campaign saw the Edinburgh side slump to eighth, their lowest placing in the top flight since they were relegated in 1981.
Manager: Csaba Laszlo is the new man in charge of team affairs at Tynecastle. The former Ferencv�ros boss arrives from a spell with Uganda, where he was responsible for a huge upturn in form. He's talked a good game so far...
Captain: Christophe Berra made his Scotland debut at the end of last season and should be involved in many more internationals as the years progress.
The 23-year-old reads the game very well and his distribution is good, although he can lose out to more physical opponents.
Scottish top-flight highlights: The Vladimir Romanov revolution started promisingly, with Hearts finishing runners-up to Celtic in 2006.
They have been Scottish champions on four occasions, but the last success was in 1960.
Hearts were denied the title on goal difference in season 1985/86 when they lost at Dundee on the final day of the campaign.
Hearts legend: John Robertson netted an impressive 271 goals during his two spells with Hearts and is the club's record league scorer, with 208. He finished his 16-season Hearts career in 1998 and can also boast the highest number of goals scored against city rivals Hibernian.
Star man: Ghana international Laryea Kingston arrived at Tynecastle in January 2007 and soon established himself as a big favourite with the fans.
He is a quick and powerful midfielder with an eye for goal.
Strengths: Winger Andrew Driver is a promising young talent and Kingston forms a strong central midfield trio with Michael Stewart and Eggert Jonsson.
Deividas Cesnauskis is the best of the Lithuanian contingent and will be hoping his injury worries are behind him.
Weaknesses: Squad morale appeared to be a problem last season, with several lacklustre displays. A bad start to the campaign could spell further trouble.
Goalkeeper Stevie Banks isn't getting any younger and Laszlo will be looking for at least one new striker since Hearts are light in that department.
Our verdict: A lot will depend on the quality of recruits Laszlo can find since the club has lost several top performers in recent seasons. A large squad is thin on quality at the moment and may struggle again unless good reinforcements arrive, particularly up front.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?