Former Rangers and Heart of Midlothian defender Lee Wallace has been appointed as assistant coach of the club's under-18s side
He made 193 appearances in Gorgie before a £1.3m transfer to Rangers in 2011. Wallace retired from playing in 2022 after a spell in London with Queens Park Rangers having made 475 career appearances.
Hearts' academy manager Andy Webster revealed that Wallace has been volunteering within the girl's department in recent months and has impressed.
He said: “I first got back in touch with Lee around August last year. We had a very in-depth discussion around his coaching journey and also his learning to date. At that time, Lee's UEFA B licence had elapsed, but I could see and feel from our initial chat the passion he had for coaching.
“Emma Hunter very kindly agreed to allow Lee to volunteer within our girls’ academy to pass on his knowledge and expertise, whilst allowing Lee to revalidate his coaching licence.
"From there an opportunity arose in the boys’ academy to join Steven Hamilton with the U16s group. Lee's enthusiasm for developing the players was clear to see from the outset.
“The group benefitted from this, which along with other staff, helped a large number of the players earn full time professional contracts. With the restructuring in the professional phase, an opportunity came up to assist David McNeil with the boys U18s.
“Lee interviewed very well and along with his time already spent in the academy, was offered the full-time position. In the short period of time, himself and David, along with Donald Park, have been working with the group, the younger U18s have integrated seamlessly into the full-time environment and the older players are able to benefit form a very high level of coaching.
“I have no doubt all the group will benefit from Lee's passion and enthusiasm for developing young players and I am excited to see this over the coming months and years.”
