Hearts have been in brilliant form this season and are currently third in the table. Being a newly promoted team makes it impressive to see such a lift under their manager and former Leicester player Robbie Nielson. Nielsen joined Leicester from Hearts back in 2009 and became the 1000th player to play for the club in a competitive match when he made his debut away at Portman Road vs. Ipswich in August 2009. He has for a number of years been in management first at Hearts. He moved down south and was in charge at MK Dons, before a return up north with Dundee United and again back at Hearts pushing for new heights as week speak.
Craig Levein became an important man in building a bond between the two clubs after bringing down Mark de Vries, Alan Maybury and Patrick Kisnorbo when he came from the same club and took over at Leicester. He also brought in Joe Hamill. All of them made the first team.
Patrick Kisnorbo established himself as a pivotal player for Leicester also at one time being captain. He was mostly used in a central defenders position. He was signed and introduced as a midfielder playing in that position for Hearts.
Not so many players to have been seen in both camps but one to mention is Gregor Stevens, who had short spells at both parties, on loan at Hearts and a very short period with Leicester in between stops at Motherwell and Rangers.
Pat Byrne, who scored for Leicester in that special 80/81 away win at Anfield joined Hearts and played up north from 81 to 83 before moving back to Ireland and appearances for Shelbourne.
Derek Stirckland had a short spell with Leicester during the days of Jock Wallace and later moved to Hearts, playing just once before making a new move to East Stirling. He made some impression at Leicester scoring 2 in 7 league games, but was not really seen as a first team regular.
Goalkeeper Nicky Walker also appeared for both clubs. 50 league games for Hearts, 2 for Leicester. He was probably most remembered for his time with Rangers and had a long career lasting for 20 years in English and Scottish league football.
A list of former players in both camps,
- Goalkeepers
- Nicky Walker
- Defenders
- Alan Maybury
- Patrick Kisnorbo
- Robbie Neilson
- Gregor Stevens
- Midfield
- Pat Byrne
- Forwards
- Joe Hammill
- Mark de Vries
- Derek Strickland
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