James Ward-Prowse has developed from a set-piece specialist to an excellent all-round midfielder. He can replace Milner in the homegrown quota and as fullback cover. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE PREMIER LEAGUE.
Hearts have appointed Liam Ross as their new set piece coach, replacing Ross Grant who departed for Celtic during the summer transfer window.
The move comes after Hearts recorded 12 goals from corners and five from free kicks during a remarkable Premiership campaign last season.
Grant had been hired the previous summer as the club’s first dedicated set piece coach, with manager Derek McInnes crediting him with bringing “huge value” and saying he “looks forensically” at where opposition defences can be hurt.
Grant’s expertise was built on assisting ex-Jambos assistant Austin MacPhee in roles at Midtjylland, Aston Villa and with the Scottish national team.
The results were visible from August, when Stuart Findlay scored two headers from corners to claw a victory from the jaws of defeat at Dundee United.
Oisin McEntee’s header beat Celtic at Parkhead from a Harry Milne corner, while Findlay added another from Marc Leonard’s delivery in a 2-2 draw with Celtic in Gorgie.
Even on the final day, Lawrence Shankland’s header from Stephen Kingsley’s corner looked to have secured an unthinkable title victory before Celtic struck late to break Hearts supporters’ hearts.
Ross arrives at Tynecastle having previously served as individual development coach at Southampton, following stints at Dundee United as head of technical performance and at Swansea City as assistant coach and analyst.
He also spent time at Rangers as professional development phase coach, working with the U19s and B team while assisting Scotland’s U21s during their European Qualifiers.
The arrivals and departures at Hearts this window have not only included players, with the poaching of Grant by rivals Celtic representing a significant loss to replace.
Hearts have moved swiftly on that front, but the delivery specialists already at the club remain a formidable group heading into the new campaign.
Harry Milne, Stephen Kingsley, Alexandros Kyziridis, Jordi Altena and Blair Spittal are all capable of putting a ball on a sixpence from dead ball situations.
Hearts have also signed Calvin Miller, who out-assisted all other players in the Premiership last season, potentially boosting the set piece threat even further.
Craig Halkett is not expected to return until January, but Findlay, McEntee, Tomas Magnusson and newly signed defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott from York should all cause problems in opposition penalty areas.
New manager Wouter Vrancken will have noted the strength of that foundation as he prepares the squad for the start of the season ahead.
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