Liam Fox leaving Hearts as Andy Kirk is offered new role

Liam Fox is leaving Hearts as the club reorganise coaching staff.

Hearts coach Liam Fox is leaving the club as part of a backroom restructure, with Andy Kirk offered a role with the women’s team.

Lee McCulloch and Gordon Forrest arrived at Tynecastle from Dundee United yesterday and will assist manager Robbie Neilson at first-team level.

Fox, who finished last season coaching Hearts reserves, is to move on as there will be no reserve league in Scotland this term.

Kirk was working with the first team under Neilson’s predecessor, Daniel Stendel, but has now been offered a different job working with Hearts Women. He is currently mulling over the decision.

John Rankin will continue in charge of Hearts Under-18s this season. He could also help out at friendly matches organised for players on the fringes of the senior squad.

Fox’s departure will end his five-year spell at Riccarton, during which he coached youth and senior players. He joined as under-17 coach in 2015 and also worked with the under-20s before stepping up to first-team coach last season.

He was named head coach of Hearts’ reserve side in December 2019. The lack of a reserve league amid coronavirus restrictions means his role has effectively become redundant.

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