Hearts are ‘gutted’ to lose Devlin as five clubs compete for what is considered one of Scotland’s top midfielders, while two other Australians look for SPL opportunities.

Cameron Devlin is preparing to leave Heart of Midlothian this summer, and the emotions surrounding his departure are mixed across Scottish football.

Within Hearts, there is deep disappointment about losing a player many supporters consider one of the finest midfielders in Scotland. Some fans are said to be absolutely gutted at the prospect of seeing the Australian leave Tynecastle after several memorable years at the club.

Elsewhere around the Premiership, however, rival supporters and opponents are feeling very differently.

For years, Devlin established a reputation as one of the league’s most relentless and combative midfielders. His aggressive pressing, constant energy, and ability to frustrate opponents made him one of the most difficult players to face in Scottish football.

Now, many rivals are relieved they may finally no longer have to deal with the terrier-like midfielder who spent every match snapping into tackles, disrupting play, and constantly unsettling opposition players from first whistle to last.

Hearts Tried Hard To Keep Devlin

Devlin’s current contract is due to expire within the next few weeks, and Hearts have reportedly done everything possible to persuade him to stay.

The Edinburgh side offered the 27-year-old a new contract toward the end of last year in an attempt to secure his future at Tynecastle.

However, the midfielder chose not to sign the proposed extension.

Instead, Devlin is now believed to be keen on pursuing a fresh challenge elsewhere after spending the last five years building his career in Scotland.

Interest in the Australian has been growing steadily, particularly from clubs overseas.

Three teams from Major League Soccer are reportedly monitoring his situation closely, while several clubs in England have also scouted him extensively.

Among the English sides linked with Devlin are Portsmouth and Stoke City.

Wherever he eventually moves, his next club will be signing a player who has matured significantly during his time north of the border.

Devlin Became Instant Hero At Tynecastle

Devlin’s style of play quickly made him a fan favourite after arriving at Hearts.

His debut appearance at Tynecastle against Livingston immediately convinced supporters they had discovered a new hero.

The midfielder’s relentless work rate, fearless tackling, and visible passion instantly connected him with the Hearts support.

By full-time, he was already being loudly applauded and celebrated by fans around the stadium.

From that point onward, Devlin became one of the most recognisable figures in the Hearts side.

His commitment and intensity rarely dipped, regardless of the opposition or circumstances.

However, his aggressive style occasionally crossed the line during the early stages of his Scottish career.

The Australian developed a reputation for rash challenges and regularly collected yellow cards because of his overzealous approach.

Over time, though, Devlin gradually learned how to channel that aggression more effectively.

He refined his game, improved his discipline, and evolved into one of the most dependable players in the Hearts midfield under manager Derek McInnes.

Painful End To Hearts Career

Unfortunately for Devlin, the conclusion to his Hearts career was filled with heartbreak rather than celebration.

Hearts spent most of last season at the top of the Scottish Premiership table after leading the standings continuously from September onward.

The club appeared on course to complete a remarkable title triumph before everything unravelled dramatically during the closing minutes of the decisive match against Celtic at Celtic Park.

With just three minutes remaining and the score level at 1-1, Hearts were still champions.

Devlin, despite only recently returning from a two-month injury absence, continued running tirelessly in midfield even as exhaustion visibly overtook him.

The Australian was effectively running on empty but refused to stop battling for his side.

Then disaster struck.

Two late Celtic goals completely transformed the title race and handed the Premiership crown back to the Glasgow side in devastating fashion.

The dramatic collapse triggered huge celebrations among Celtic supporters, including a mass pitch invasion after the final whistle.

Meanwhile, Hearts players and staff were escorted away from Glasgow by police following the chaotic scenes.

Emotional Scenes At Tynecastle

Images of Devlin in tears after the title defeat quickly spread across Scotland.

The midfielder was visibly emotional as Hearts returned to Tynecastle following the devastating loss, with photographs showing tears streaming down his face while supporters tried to process the heartbreak.

Those scenes captured just how much the club meant to him.

However, many Hearts supporters believe those painful images should not define Devlin’s legacy in Edinburgh.

Instead, fans are choosing to remember the endless energy, commitment, and passion he consistently displayed while wearing the maroon shirt.

There were also unforgettable moments of joy during his time at the club.

Among the highlights were his goals against Rosenborg in a UEFA Conference League qualifier almost three years ago.

Those performances further strengthened his connection with the Hearts support and highlighted how important he became to the team over time.

Hearts Helped Launch Devlin’s International Career

Wherever Devlin moves next, he leaves Scotland knowing Hearts played a huge role in elevating his career onto the international stage.

The midfielder made his debut for Australia national football team just over a year after arriving in Edinburgh.

His performances in Scottish football quickly convinced national team coaches he deserved an opportunity at international level.

That progress eventually earned him a place in Australia’s squad for the 2024 FIFA World Cup.

Although he did not feature during the tournament itself, Devlin still experienced one unforgettable moment during Australia’s knockout-stage clash against eventual champions Argentina national football team.

Following the match, the Hearts midfielder famously exchanged shirts with Lionel Messi — a memory likely to remain with him forever.

Experiences like that underline how important his move to Hearts proved for his career development.

Other Australian Players Facing Uncertain Futures

While Devlin prepares to finalise his future, several other Australian footballers currently playing in Scotland are also facing uncertainty this summer.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is currently on loan at Sydney FC from Motherwell.

Sydney hold an option to make the move permanent, although the striker’s long-term future remains unresolved.

Complicating matters further is the recent departure of highly-rated Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou, who has left Scotland to join Toulouse in France.

Stamatelopoulos may therefore choose to return to Fir Park and attempt to establish himself under Motherwell’s next manager.

His current contract with the Scottish side runs until 2027 and also includes the option of an additional 12 months.

Ryan McGowan Yet To Decide Next Move

Meanwhile, veteran defender Ryan McGowan is also facing a major career decision.

His contract with Livingston is due to expire after the club suffered relegation to the Scottish Championship.

At 36 years old, McGowan must now determine whether to continue playing, move elsewhere, or potentially retire following a lengthy professional career.

At Hibernian, however, there is greater certainty surrounding the future of Martin Boyle.

The winger has committed his future to the Edinburgh club by signing a new one-year contract extension.

Boyle and teammate Ante Suto are currently training with Australia’s preliminary World Cup squad in the United States.

Devlin is also part of the group hoping to secure a final place in the squad for next month’s tournament.

Zac Sapsford Left Out Of International Plans

One Australian currently missing from the national setup is Zac Sapsford.

The Dundee United striker enjoyed a respectable first season in Scottish football, scoring 11 goals across 45 appearances for the club.

Despite those solid performances, Sapsford has not been included in coach Tony Popovic’s current plans.

Several strikers from Australia’s A-League are involved in the international training camp, but Sapsford appears to have fallen outside the immediate picture for now.

For Devlin, though, attention remains focused on his next move.

After five unforgettable years at Hearts, one of Scotland’s most energetic and passionate midfielders now appears ready for a completely new challenge elsewhere.