Heart Of Midlothian’s new home strip is simply as you would expect. Maroon shirt with white flashes, white shorts and white socks.

There have been a couple of changes since last season’s shirt, first of which is the collar. The Hearts shirt of last season had a V neck, whereas this season’s shirt sports a traditional and simple collar.

The other main change in the design by Umbro, is where the white flashes come into the strip. As opposed to last season where the white somewhat arched around the front of the shirt, this year the white flash comes around the armpit before flashing towards the front, on both sides.

There is a faint pin-stripe effect through the shirt, which is said to be made in line with Umbbro’s climate control technology. I would guess that this is similar to all other major brands in that it is designed to minimise the effects of body temperature.

The shirt displays the famous Umbro logo, the Hearts club crest, and the sponsor, UKIO BANKAS. This deal of course connected with Vladimir Romanov, the club’s owner.

The white shorts and socks come with maroon through them, again in no particularly extraordinary way.

It may seem that i am dismissing the new Hearts strip a little, however there is nothing wrong with the shirt, but it does seem to be another example of a club churning out a new strip for the sake of it. There are no major differences, which i suppose can be looked upon as a good thing. Tried, tested and traditional.

The vast majority of Hearts’ fans will be happy to wear the shirt at Tynecastle as they watch the likes of Andy Driver, Layrea Kingston and Michael Stewart next season, but just don’t expect it to be too noticeable against the rest of the maroon jerseys in the crowd.

Paul Collins