Islam Chesnokov became the first Kazakhstan international to win medals in the top tier of British football after Hearts finished second in the Scottish Premiership for the first time in 20 years, securing a place in Champions League qualification. Eurasia Football takes a look at Islam’s first impressions in his new league.
For a Kazakh footballer, it has been a historic start to life in a new league. Chesnokov swapped Tobol for Edinburgh in the winter transfer window, endured a difficult adaptation period, won an important penalty in the cup, scored a winning goal in the league and earned praise from head coach Derek McInnes that is not handed out lightly in Scotland: “He works like a Trojan.”
In the decisive match of the season against Celtic, Chesnokov came on for roughly the final half hour. The Guardian specifically highlighted one of his runs down the right flank, where the Kazakh winger beat Liam Scales and reached the byline before Auston Trusty blocked the cross.
It was not enough for Hearts, however. The Edinburgh side fell to a 3-1 defeat, missing out on the title but still securing second place and, most importantly, a return to the Champions League. Chesnokov himself featured prominently on the club’s post-match poster.
A Move After a Long Wait
Chesnokov signed for Hearts on 6 January 2026. He arrived as a free agent following his departure from Tobol and agreed a deal running until the summer of 2028. In other words, the club clearly believed in him.
In Edinburgh, Islam was introduced as one of Kazakhstan’s standout players. His numbers during his time in Kostanay backed that reputation up: 29 goals and 18 assists in 92 appearances across three years.
Adapting immediately to the intensity of Scottish football was never going to be easy. The Kazakh season had ended earlier, meaning Chesnokov arrived after a lengthy break from competitive action. He needed time to regain match sharpness, fitness and adjust to the demands of a new team.
Islam later admitted the coaching staff were right not to rush him back onto the pitch.
“I hadn’t played since the end of November, so I needed time in training,” Chesnokov told the club website. “Even when you arrive fully fit, adaptation takes time. After a month and a half without proper training, it becomes even more important.”
In the same interview, he revealed that the dressing room quickly noticed the attention coming from Kazakhstan. Team-mates joked that every time he appeared in the starting XI, Kazakh flags would “explode” across the club’s social media comments.
First Milestones
Chesnokov’s first major moment for Hearts came in January’s Scottish Cup clash against Falkirk.
Islam came off the bench in the 77th minute and, late in normal time, won a penalty for his side. He burst past Leon McCann, drove into the box and was brought down. After a VAR review, the referee upheld the decision and Lawrence Shankland converted from the spot to send the tie into extra time.
Hearts eventually lost on penalties, but for Chesnokov it was still an important early contribution. Having only just arrived at the club, he had already helped rescue the team from defeat in normal time.
On 21 February, Chesnokov scored his first goal for Hearts. It also proved to be the winner.
His strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the same Falkirk side.
Sky Sports framed the match around the Kazakh winger’s decisive contribution, reporting that Hearts had won thanks to Chesnokov’s goal and, at the time, extended their lead at the top of the table.
For Kazakh football, it was a historic moment. Hearts themselves highlighted that Chesnokov had become the first Kazakh footballer ever to score in Scotland.
After the match, however, Islam focused primarily on the team result.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I dreamed of playing and scoring here,” he told the club website. “Most importantly, we achieved such an important and difficult victory.”
That goal changed the tone surrounding the new arrival. Chesnokov was no longer simply working his way back to fitness after the move abroad. He had delivered a crucial win for Hearts in the title race.
McInnes Saw His Character
Following the win over Falkirk, Hearts head coach Derek McInnes delivered one of the strongest endorsements Chesnokov had received during his first months in Scotland.
The BBC led with the quote: “He works like a Trojan.”
In Scottish football, that is considered serious praise. Players are quickly judged on their willingness to handle physical contact, track back defensively, cope with the tempo and do the hard work off the ball.
“He’s getting better and better,” McInnes said. “At times you don’t notice him for long spells, but he’s a player for the big moment.”
The quote summed up Chesnokov’s first few months at Hearts perfectly. He is not yet the kind of winger who dominates an entire flank for 90 minutes, but he already has a knack for producing decisive moments: winning penalties, scoring important goals and driving the team forward from the bench.
McInnes continued:
“He’s moving in the right direction. He’s earned the trust of his team-mates and we can see how honest he is in his work. He works like a Trojan. He might be the hardest-working wide player I’ve ever coached. And we feel there’s still even more quality to come from him.”
For Chesnokov, that praise meant far more than the usual post-match compliments after scoring a goal.
In Scotland, he has earned recognition through his attitude, work rate and willingness to compete physically. Without those qualities, it is difficult for any player to establish a serious role in the league.
Areas for Improvement Remain
Chesnokov’s first spell at Hearts has been an inconsistent one.
He was given opportunities, started several matches and then gradually found himself used less frequently. So far, the Kazakh winger has yet to complete a full 90 minutes for the club.
The main question raised by the British media concerns the consistency of his attacking influence. Chesnokov has been praised for his work without the ball, discipline and movement, but wide players in Scotland are also expected to beat defenders one-on-one, create chances, deliver crosses and apply constant pressure in attacking areas.
Back in February, former Hearts player Michael Stewart said on BBC Scotland that the club’s winter signings had not immediately delivered the impact the team needed. His criticism of Chesnokov was particularly direct: despite several appearances, Stewart claimed he had “not seen him beat a full-back once.”
Perhaps the toughest moment came during Hearts’ match against Rangers on 4 May. Chesnokov started the game but was substituted at half-time, with Blair Spittal replacing him as Hearts noticeably improved after the break. Several Scottish match reports described the Kazakh international’s display as ineffective.
The message is fairly clear: work rate and discipline alone will not be enough.
To establish himself as a regular starter, Chesnokov needs to threaten defenders more consistently, attack the flank with greater authority and influence matches beyond isolated moments.
A Tough Test Against Celtic
In the final match of the season against Celtic, Chesnokov started on the bench. McInnes introduced him in the 67th minute with the score at 1-1, replacing Harry Milne alongside Claudio Braga and Alan Forrest.
It was already a difficult stage of the match. Hearts were beginning to tire, Celtic were increasing the pressure and momentum was steadily swinging toward the home side.
Almost immediately, Chesnokov produced a promising run down the right flank. The Guardian highlighted the moment, noting how he beat Liam Scales, reached the byline and attempted to fire a cross into the box before Auston Trusty blocked the delivery.
The move did not change the outcome. Hearts could not withstand the late Celtic pressure.
Still, for Chesnokov personally, it offered another useful glimpse of his qualities. Even in a difficult game, he showed pace, aggression and a willingness to take defenders on.
It was no coincidence that he appeared on Hearts’ post-match poster afterwards.
For the club, it was a season that carried both disappointment and pride. For Chesnokov, it represented the first step into a level of football where every minute has to be earned.
What Comes Next After Season One
Chesnokov has already achieved several historic milestones in Scotland.
He became the first Kazakh footballer to score in Scottish football and is now the first Kazakhstan international to win medals in the top tier of British football. His first goal for Hearts delivered a victory, while his first major contribution in the cup helped the team avoid defeat in normal time. The club’s head coach has also publicly praised his work ethic and attitude.
The next challenge will be a full pre-season and the fight for a more consistent place in the starting XI.
The expectation around Chesnokov will now shift from adaptation to regular influence on matches. He needs to evolve from what McInnes described as “a player for the big moment” into a constant attacking threat down the flank.
His first season in Scotland has been demanding, difficult and important.
Chesnokov left Kazakhstan during the winter, joined a side fighting for the title until the closing weeks of the campaign, scored a historic goal and finished the season as a Scottish Premiership runner-up.
For a player arriving from the Kazakhstan Premier League, that already represents a significant statement.
The next question is whether he can turn this promising start into a permanent role in the Hearts first team.