James Cairney

Sports Writer

James worked as a sports writer at The Herald for four years prior to the launch of Hearts Standard. His work covering the years-long fan ownership saga at Partick Thistle drew acclaim, while his analysis provides insight into the beautiful game. A passionate advocate for Scottish football, James supports Partick Thistle - but we try not to hold that against him.

James worked as a sports writer at The Herald for four years prior to the launch of Hearts Standard. His work covering the years-long fan ownership saga at Partick Thistle drew acclaim, while his analysis provides insight into the beautiful game. A passionate advocate for Scottish football, James supports Partick Thistle - but we try not to hold that against him.

Latest articles from James Cairney

John McGlynn's Falkirk won the League One title without losing a game, while playing easy-on-the-eye and attractive football

Exclusive From caution at Hearts to freedom with Falkirk: How John McGlynn became an invincible
The former Hearts was named PFA Manager of the Year after guiding Falkirk to the League One title at long last without losing a game.

Steven Naismith made his Champions League debut away to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in November 2007

Naismith on transfer policy, European squad and what he learned from facing Barcelona
The Hearts head coach made his Champions League debut away to Pep Guardiola's Barca - and learned something valuable about himself.

Calem Nieuwenhof's parents, Jason and Lyndal, visited Scotland in December

Exclusive 'I wouldn't miss it for the world': Supporting Calem Nieuwenhof from Down Under
Nieuwenhof's parents are the midfielder's biggest fans, and they watch every Hearts game live during the middle of the night in Australia.

Lawrence Shankland won the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award on Sunday night

Opinion It had to be Shankland: Why Hearts striker was only choice for Player of the Year
The centre-forward became the first Hearts player to win the PFA Scotland award on Sunday night - and it simply had to be him.

Lawrence Shankland has become the first Hearts player to win the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award

Lawrence Shankland named PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year
The Hearts captain was voted by his peers as the standout performer in the 2023/24 season.

Lawrence Shankland had a chance early on against Celtic but found himself dropping deep as the game wore on

Statsbomb report Celtic 3-0 Hearts: Shooting pains, corners and being pinned back
James Cairney digs through the data of Hearts' 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Hearts started stongly at Celtic Park but still found themselves trailing 2-0 after 21 minutes

Instant analysis Fine margins, dry spell, Clark heroics: Instant analysis as Hearts lose to Celtic
James Cairney provides his instant analysis after Hearts suffer a 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park.

Frankie Kent says December's 2-0 win over Celtic acted as the catalyst for the unbeaten run that followed

Q&A Frankie Kent on the key Hearts moment that was the springboard for success - Q&A
Here's everything the centre-half said ahead of Hearts' trip to Celtic Park.