Monday January 26th 2026
Hearts played against Celtic yesterday where Marc Leonard made his Tynecastle debut.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
Hearts Academy graduate Marc Leonard made his Tynecastle debut on Sunday — almost nine years after signing his first professional contract with the Jambos.
Now 24, Leonard’s journey has taken him away from Gorgie and into the English game, with spells at Brighton, Northampton Town and, most recently, Birmingham City. He has now returned to Hearts on loan from Birmingham, but was afforded no luxury settling in period, thrown straight into the starting line-up against Celtic.
Having only completed his move on Friday, it was a whirlwind reintroduction back at his boyhood club.
‘Playing Celtic today and the last 48 hours have been a bit of carnage for myself.
‘But I managed to get a training session in yesterday with the boys and I was in the building on Friday, sort of meeting everyone, so it was good and I’m glad I got through it.’
Despite having trained just once with his new side, Leonard looked at home in central midfield, slotting seamlessly into the midfield and providing a calming foot on the ball for Hearts.
He revealed conversations with manager Derek McInnes prior to the match had helped him prepare for what was to come.
‘I spoke to him during the week, obviously before the deal came through, and he instilled a lot of trust in me straight away,’ Leonard explained.
‘He just said to me, “come in and play your game”. He gave me some tactical points out of possession and what to expect.
‘You can’t ask much more than a manager putting that trust in you and throwing you straight in.’
Leonard left Hearts as a young player, admitting it was difficult to walk away at the time,
‘It was difficult moving because I loved it here and I had such a good connection with all the players here, all the staff and I really enjoyed it.’
He returns now a more seasoned professional and to a Hearts side transformed, one things for sure he won’t be returning to any housekeeping duties he previously had.
‘It feels different. I mean I was just in there, I usually had to sweep the changing rooms when I was here before. But just getting changed there it was a different feeling for sure.’
Leonard also credited McInnes with being a key factor in convincing him to return to Tynecastle, despite interest from elsewhere.
‘As soon as I spoke to the manager it was chalk and cheese with other conversation I’d had and I knew straightaway that was the manger I wanted to play for.’
A lack of game time at Birmingham meant this was Leonard’s first competitive appearance since January 1, something he admitted had been frustrating as he approaches the prime years of his career.
‘From a personal standpoint I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted to and I think it’s a huge thing especially at my age.
‘I’ve established myself I know what I’m good at. I want to be playing now.’
Leonard also brings valuable title-winning experience with him, having been part of Birmingham’s record-breaking League One title-winning squad last season, amassing 111 points. That type of pedigree could prove valuable in Hearts continued quest to slay the old firm and win a historic league title of their own.
‘It’s all experiences that you can help benefit this team hopefully and that’s what I hope to do.’
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