
McInnes pleased with pre-season training camp
Sussex-based Crawley, who compete in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English league system, reduced the deficit to 2-1 before half-time, but the Jambos saw the game out at La Finca and Lawrence Shankland was introduced for the last 20 minutes of the game providing him with valuable pitch time.
Hearts' head coach, Derek McInnes, told the club's social media that he was pleased with what he has seen during the week-long workout in Spain.
The boss added: 'It is always nice to win, and for the players to get the reward for hard work.'
The camp, he added, had been 'an absolute joy' and he said that the players on the trip 'have knocked their pan in'.
McInnes admitted that it had been difficult to manage the playing time in Spain with more than 20 players on the trip and focusing on the vicory against Crawley, McInnes said it was very competitive and Hearts stood up to the challenge.
He added: 'We were playing against a team who wanted to dominate the ball and remain in possession. Our press was good, our effort to win the ball back was terrific, and I thought there were signs about the team we want to be.
'(It was) good to score from a set play, good to score three goals, James Wilson's goal was top class, and we could have had one or two more. Happy with the effort, happy with the week and it is just over two weeks since we came back to The Oriam.
'We have a good few training sessions before we play Dunfermline at Tynecastle.'
Hearts have a closed doors game before they meet The Pars on Saturday, July 12 (17.15) in the Scottish League Cup, and, reflecting on the week in Spain, the new boss added: 'I've had a look at the lads, they have had a look at us (the coaching staff) and what we are demanding from them.
'Everybody is bursting to play their part and they (the players) have given me and the staff selection problems. That is the way it should be at a club like Hearts. There should be competition to play, and I believe we have got that.'
Overall, he added: 'We are getting there, but we are not perfect, by a long shot, and, with a couple of additions, I think you would see a better balance overall. The lads we have been working with have been outstanding in terms of their effort.'
However, he indicated that some players in the squad will be moving on once the competitive action begins as he admitted: 'We are a bit overloaded in certain areas.'
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Men in Maroon have two transfer targets, Burkina Faso international, Pierre Landry Kabore, who is playing in Estonia, and Albanian winger Sabah Kerjota who is currently with an Italian club.
And McInnes confirmed that AEK Athens have met the valuation placed on 26-year-old, Livingston-born defender, James Penrice, by the Tynecastle club. He described the potential move, reported to be in the region of £2m, as a 'fantastic opportunity' for the player signed by Hearts as a free transfer from Livingston, and a man who had an outstanding first season at Gorgie.
McInnes said: 'It looks as if he will be leaving. For that I am sad, but pleased for the boy.'
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
35 minutes ago
- Daily Record
St Mirren draw with Hearts in closed-door friendly in Spain
Youngster Evan Mooney opened the scoring for the Saints against a strong Hearts side before Beni Baningime levelled shortly after. Stephen Robinson's squad got their sweat on in Spain after St Mirren drew 1-1 against Hearts in a closed-door friendly. Evan Mooney scored early in the second half against a very strong Jamboos side after he slid a well-worked move past Zander Clark. Hearts levelled a little over 10 minutes after the restart from a water break in the second 45, with Beni Baningime's strike from 20 yards taking a deflection off Alex Gogic before finding the net. A first half starting XI at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia consisted of new keeper Ryan Mullen, Alex Gogic, Luke Kenny, Alex Iacovitti, Jayden Richardson, Mark O'Hara, Carrick McEvoy, Thomas Falconer, Conor McMenamin, Mikael Mandron and Mooney. The Saints had taken an early lead through Mooney, who opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Good pressing from McEvoy saw the youth academy graduate steal the ball from Baningime in the middle of the park. McMenamin raced on to it and fed it to Mandron, who perfectly weighted a pass that found Mooney scuttling down the left. The 17-year-old cut in from the side and slammed beyond Zander Clark from 16 yards. The Paisley side thought they had doubled their lead when McMenamin netted just before a water break, but celebrations were paused when the offside flag was raised. The pain from the missed opportunity moments earlier was soon doubled as Baningime's deflected strike found its way past Mullen and into the net. Only Gogic remained from the first-half lineup, as the manager rotated the team and changed its shape. A second half XI started with Peter Urminsky, Marcus Fraser, Gogic, Scott Tanser, Callum Penman, Killian Phillips, Oisin Smyth, Fraser Taylor, Declan John, Roland Idowu and James Scott. The Cypriot would eventually be replaced by Saints youth prospect Billy Hutchison on 72 minutes. Penman almost put Saints ahead for a second time with a low effort deflected just wide of the left-hand post. John was denied a few minutes after a water break when his free-kick was brilliantly touched over the bar by Hearts goalkeeper Ryan Fulton. Saints stopper Urminsky made a terrific save himself to deny Hearts' Claudio Braga. The goalkeeper made himself big to pull off an important block after Musa Drammeh had put the forward clear on goal. Speaking in Spain after the intense game in the Spanish sun, Robinson outlined how it was a perfect chance to get fitness levels on the rise. The 50-year-old also says Idowu left the field as a 'precaution' after feeling dizzy on the park. 'It was good for both sides and the heat was incredible in the first half of the match,' he told the Saints' media team. 'It was difficult in terms of pressing, but we got a good bit of fitness out of it, and got everyone a good bit of game time with plenty of young boys getting opportunities to show what they can do. 'We took Roland [Idowu] off as a precaution as he was a bit dizzy. We rested Jonah [Ayunga] and Liam [Donnelly] so they would be available for Saturday.'


South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Kyle Walker leaves Man City for Burnley on two-year deal
Walker joins the newly-promoted Premier League side from Manchester City, where he had a year remaining on his contract. He had started as club captain of City last season, but finished on loan with AC Milan and was not part of Pep Guardiola's squad for this summer's Club World Cup. We are delighted to confirm the signing of England international Kyle Walker. The experienced defender has put pen to paper on a two-year deal ✍️ — Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 5, 2025 A move to Turf Moor reunites Walker with former Tottenham and England team-mate Scott Parker, who helped Burnley reach the top-flight with a second-place finish in last season's Championship. The 35-year-old said: 'I'm delighted to be here. When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at. 'He's done an amazing job here, guiding the Club back to the Premier League with a 100-point haul, and now we're looking forward, together, at being back in the greatest league in the world. 'Burnley had a tremendous campaign last season, built on an incredible defensive record, and I can't wait to come in and add my experience and quality to what looks an exciting squad.' Walker began his career with Sheffield United before switching to Tottenham and eventually joined City in a £45million move in 2017, where he has gone on to make 410 English top-flight appearances. In eight years with City, he has won 17 trophies, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League and was part of their treble-winning team. Walker has also been a key cog for England having been capped 96 times. He becomes Burnley's fifth signing this summer as they look to strengthen for their return to the top-flight with Max Weiss, Quilindschy Hartman, Axel Tuanzebe and Loum Tchouana all joining, while Bashir Humphreys, Marcus Edwards, Zian Flemming and Jaidon Anthony's loan deals have all been made permanent.


South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Off-colour Lions made to work for victory over New South Wales Waratahs
A fortnight out from the first Test against the Wallabies and the Lions struggled to put away a side that finished eighth in the Super Rugby table and had lost five of their last six matches. Even the arrival of a heavyweight bench could not provide the lift Andy Farrell's men needed at Allianz Stadium and a dismal second-half made for grim viewing with Alex Mitchell's 55th-minute try at least providing some breathing space. Full time in Sydney 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 5, 2025 Henry Pollock was withdrawn from the back row shortly before kick-off because of a tight calf and it was a good match for the rising star of English rugby to miss with a number of Lions playing their way out of Test match contention. Only Scotland centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones and props Pierre Schoeman and Finlay Bealham distinguished themselves with the impressive Jones finishing with two tries, lifting his total for the tour to three. Owen Farrell arrived into camp on Friday after being called-up as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daly and witnessed a display that fell well short of previous outings against Western Force and Queensland Reds. The former England captain smiled as he was booed and cheered when shown on the big screen, with team-mate Will Stuart comically joining the jeering coming from home fans. The Waratahs fought their hearts out even though they were missing several key players such as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Angus Bell to Australia duty against Fiji on Sunday. Taniela Tupou, dubbed the 'Tongan Thor', had at least been released back to the franchise in the hope he would find some form ahead of the Tests but instead he struggled as the Lions mined three scrum penalties in the opening quarter. Huw Jones at the double in the first half 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 5, 2025 The tourists were dominating the set-piece, but it was the understanding of centres Tuipulotu and Jones that led to an opening try that was forged in Scotland. Jones crossed after being sent through a gap with a short pass from his Scotland centre colleague and then powered over for a second having also made the initial carry that drove the hosts backwards. Waratahs openside Charlie Gamble had seen a try chalked off for offside at the line-out but his team eventually succeeded in the 35th minute when Darby Lancaster capitalised on hesitant defending on the Lions' right wing. Hugo Keenan was enduring a nightmare debut after making error after error but he was far from alone as the familiar theme of dropped passes and poor handling continued to haunt Farrell's men. They led just 14-5 at the interval and when Ethan Dobbin finished a maul try one minute into the second half they suddenly found themselves in a tight spot, playing poorly against a side that was scrapping for everything. Mitchell settled the nerves when he took advantage of an overlap to dummy his way over and the Lions were unable to break through again in a desperately scrappy final quarter.