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Heart of Midlothian have brought in Birmingham City midfielder Marc Leonard on loan until the end of the season, boosting Derek McInnes’ options in the middle of the park. The 24-year-old, a Scotland Under-21 cap, has made 17 appearances for Birmingham this season. Leonard came through Hearts’ youth set-up and could make his debut against Celtic on Sunday.
Hearts sign Birmingham midfielder Marc Leonard on loan until season end
Hearts have signed Birmingham City midfielder Marc Leonard on loan until the end of the season. The 24-year-old, a Scotland Under-21 cap, has featured 17 times for the Championship club this season, with 10 of those outings coming as a substitute. Leonard is eligible to face Celtic on Sunday, with Hearts saying he could make his debut in that Scottish Premiership fixture.
Head coach Derek McInnes said Leonard’s familiarity with the club and the Scottish game was a key factor in the move. “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to get Marc in and bolster the squad,” McInnes said. He added that Leonard “knows the club, he knows Scottish football, what it means and what’s at stake,” and described that as “a really big positive.”
Leonard spent time in Hearts’ youth ranks at Tynecastle before leaving in 2019 to join Brighton & Hove Albion. He later had two loan spells at Northampton Town before moving to Birmingham 18 months ago. His most recent appearance came on New Year’s Day, when he came off the bench in Birmingham’s 3-0 away defeat by Watford.
Hearts’ move comes as the club deals with midfield absences. Beni Baningime is suspended for Sunday’s match, while Cammy Devlin is set to miss up to two months with a lower leg injury. The report also noted Birmingham lie 13th in the Championship and that half of Leonard’s 64 appearances overall have been as a substitute.
Leonard’s arrival follows Hearts’ failed attempt to sign Laurent Mendy from Forest Green Rovers, with manager Robbie Savage confirming a bid was rejected. “Every minute I’ve worked with him, he’s brilliant and that’s why Hearts made an offer, but it didn’t meet the club’s valuation,” Savage told club media, adding: “I think now Hearts have moved on.”
