Who is Hearts new boy Oisin McEntee: Fitting the profile to character.

 

Oisin McEntee has become Heart of Midlothian’s fourth summer signing. Following his departure from English League Two club Walsall, the Irishman has signed a three-year contract. It is his second spell in Scottish football; he previously spent a season on loan at Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship while tied to Newcastle. He has been with The Saddlers for the previous three seasons, helping them reach the League Two play-off final this season. On Tuesday, Tom Irving will provide an in-depth scouting profile of McEntee for Hearts Standard. In the meantime, learn more about the new recruit.

Fits the profile

Derek McInnes understands the type of players required in Scottish football, particularly in the spine of the team, which is how Hearts came to sign McEntee, proving how swiftly the club can work on Jamestown Analytics’ aims. Standing at 6ft3in and with experience in Scottish football from a loan spell with Greenock Morton in the Championship, he won’t be put off by the physical aspect. He will not only offer size to the Hearts’ midfield, but also athleticism. Walsall manager Mat Sadler praised his athletic abilities as a defender and midfielder.

“You can expect a hard worker who will win battles, put himself about, and be tidy on the ball,” McEntee told HeartsTV when asked what fans might expect.

Utility player

McEntee will bring versatility for Hearts, as he can play centre-back, right-back, and in the centre of midfield, where he is expected to be most prominent under Derek McInnes. As first published by the Hearts Standard, the player confirmed that he is primarily considered as a midfielder.

He played in the middle of the pitch early in the season but was dropped due to circumstances within the Walsall squad. He would excel on the right side of a back three. He showcased his offensive abilities from the deep position by recording three assists in five games. “His delivery from a wide range of locations may be disregarded. “He drives into that space,” Sadler said.

Goal threat

While McEntee is anticipated to add toughness and presence to the Hearts midfield, he also serves as a goal threat with roaming abilities to help the attack. Although he did not score last season, he did assist on three goals. He had six goals and four assists the previous season before being sidelined by an injury. It involved posing a significant aerial threat from set pieces. Dealing with Adversity As a teenager with Newcastle United, McEntee had a double hernia operation before missing five months owing to a poor reaction to the coronavirus.

He also struggled with injuries at Walsall, especially during the 2023/24 season, when he was a crucial component in the team’s midfield, scoring four goals and assisting four times. His campaign would end prematurely due to a hamstring injury. “I’ve been through some really tough times, but it always makes you stronger,” McEntee told the Express & Star. “My mother usually tells me that you have a lot more experience than other people back home. “You’ve went through tough periods but that just brings you on leaps and bounds.”

Strong character

A major focus of Hearts’ recruitment is to sign the right personalities. McEntee’s challenging experiences have helped him develop a strong character. It was an aspect that earned him a lot of respect at Walsall, particularly from boss Sadler. According to one pundit, he ‘possesses all the mental attributes that Sadler desires in a player, but he has the footballing skill to match’. “Darren Byfield calls him the chameleon of a defender because whatever he comes up against, he seems to have the ability to understand what is required,” Sadler said of McEntee, who primarily played as a centre-back this season. “I think he is a fantastic person but he is also an excellent defender.”

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