Wilson 'a proven, experienced Premier League striker'
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Scotsman
a minute ago
- Scotsman
Hearts transfer targets and Jamestown Analytics' role explained in detail
Transfer window has been busy at Tynecastle Park Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Nine new signings with potentially more to follow amounts to one of the busiest summers in Hearts' history. Even the once transfer-obsessed Vladimir Romanov would be proud of his old club's dealings. Research on new players is considerably more robust nowadays thanks to Jamestown Analytics. Their secretive workings and relationship with the Edinburgh club remain a source of much fascination. For Derek McInnes, the Hearts head coach, Jamestown's data is an advantageous tool. He was inquisitive at his job interview in May about what the London-based sports recruitment firm do and how they help the Tynecastle club. The partnership was explained in detail, and McInnes then held further talks with Tynecastle's new investor Tony Bloom this week. Jamestown is an offshoot of Bloom's gambling software company Starlizard. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McInnes has overseen the arrival of nine new recruits since his appointment: Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Portuguese forward Claudio Braga, Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu, Scottish centre-back Stuart Findlay, Albanian winger Sabah Kerjota, Icelandic midfielder Tomas Bent Magnusson and Burkinabe forward Pierre Landry Kabore. He provided a detailed insight into the inner workings of the Hearts-Jamestown agreement. 'When I was interviewed, it was kind of relayed to me what that looked like,' he said. 'I was quite inquisitive about the parameters and how it all works. Graeme Jones [Hearts sporting director] had given me fine detail about how they see it working. I was obviously encouraged and excited by that. 'In days gone by, for any manager in normal circumstances, you'd get offered a player and you and your staff with your recruitment team would look through maybe eight to 10 hours of footage, watching different types of games, different clips. We're no longer doing that now as a staff, so we're getting the benefit of having these players getting watched to death. 'I don't know how many minutes they look at for every player, but every game that they've played has been watched and analysed and marked and judged and all the rest of it. So, when we then say we're looking for this type of profile, they'll spit out maybe four or five options for us to look at. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Now I must say, we've not signed everybody that's been proposed to us, there's been a few that we've moved away from quite quickly. That's not to say they weren't good players, because they're clearly all good players that Jamestown are offering. A lot of these players come from leagues that you probably wouldn't have been looking in, like Kerjota for instance, and even Magnussen. Hearts transfers and positions in mind 'These are guys that Jamestown have the benefit and the confidence that they're sourcing them before they get their [big] move - if you know what I mean - and they're identifying good players. I think it's clear that every player that they've proposed is a good footballer. It's up to us to try and make those footballers better. Every signing as a manager, it's up to us to try and validate that confidence. when you bring a player in. That's always the way for a manager, when you sign a player you always want to make them work. 'Not every signing is going to work for different reasons. But I do think we all take confidence from the fact that a lot of the work that normally us managers and staff have to go through has all been done, and you're just getting at that end point. Sometimes you see it right away. You watch a player and you watch the clip and you go: 'What a good player he is.' 'We all think the same thing. We could all be sitting in a room as a staff, we just watch the game, we watch the clips, we don't speak while we're watching it. Then it's: 'What a good player he is.' You just get a good feeling about it, and the fact that other people have done their work before they propose them to you, it gives you an added security. An endorsement, I suppose. Normally, it's just my decision or the staff's decision. We feel as though we've got the right people getting us to that point.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite the extensive business done so far, Hearts may yet target more new recruits. Adam Forrester's proposed loan move to St Johnstone would leave the right-back department short on cover. Craig Gordon's persistent shoulder injury may also necessitate a move for another goalkeeper, so Jamestown will likely be called upon again before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September. The ability to free up time would appeal to any top-flight football manager in what is a 24/7 job. McInnes is no different. Jamestown remove a fair portion of the laborious process when researching a potential signing target. Consequently, the Hearts head coach should have plenty extra time for other duties at Riccarton. 'I should have, but it doesn't feel like it,' he laughed. 'We're still looking at players all the time, we're still getting stuff proposed to us. There are a few that we've moved on from pretty quickly. There is still loads to do for any manager, particularly during pre-season and particularly in the [transfer] window. Maybe once the window closes we'll get a wee bit more time to do what we want to do, rather than poring over players.' READ MORE: Transfer progress at Tynecastle as defender nears a move
Scottish Sun
a minute ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow
Lampard worked as a TV pundit last season but prefers the trials and tribulations of managing Coventry frank admission 'Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FRANK LAMPARD accepts he is a glutton for punishment. One of the Premier League's greatest ever stars has had to deal with more than his fair share of 'hurt' as a boss having been brutally sacked by both Chelsea and Everton. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Frank Lampard was left devastated after a last minute Sunderland goal prevented his Coventry side making it to Wembley Credit: Getty 2 Lampard featured regularly as a pundit before joining Coventry Credit: Getty That followed his experience of suffering Wembley play-off final heartache when he was cutting his managerial teeth in charge of Derby. And if that wasn't enough to put him off the managerial lark, he watched on helplessly as Coventry were cruelly defeated in the play-off semi at Sunderland last May. But, no matter, the Coventry boss says he has no intention of swapping cold, wet Tuesday nights in Stoke for the comfort of the TV studio like fellow Prem icons. And nor does Lamps have any plans to work on his handicap on the golf course rather than patrolling the training ground like other ex-pros. READ MORE ON FRANK LAMPARD ROLEX Win an incredible Rolex Starbucks Submariner or £12k cash alternative from just 89p But, instead, he's relishing the challenge of leading the Sky Blues from the depths of despair to another tilt at Prem promotion. Lampard had to fight back the tears when Cov were dramatically denied a place in the Championship play-off final by Dan Ballard's dramatic last-gasp winner on Wearside in May. The cruel finale meant there was no fairytale ending for the Sky Blues who were 17th when Lampard took charge following Mark Robins' sacking. But, in an exclusive SunSport interview, Lampard, 47, has admitted he can't wait to give it another go. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'Ex-players have their choices in terms of what they want to do with their lives,' Lampard told SunSport. 'They can play golf, they can go into punditry or they can just go into a different line of work. Emotional Frank Lampard struggles through Sky Sports interview after Coventry's gut-wrenching play-off defeat 'I was 38, 39 I was when I finished and there's still a long way to go in your life and management is my line of work. 'And I have to admit I love doing what I do. I love working with the players. I love being on the training pitch. I love working with people. 'Everyone has their choices and I've made my choice and this is a challenging career but there's also a lot of pluses to it. 'I've pitted my wits against elite managers in the Champions League, managed at Chelsea, at Everton and at Derby and every single experience is valuable.' And, win or lose, there seems little chance that Chelsea legend Lampard, who won 11 major trophies in 13 years at Stamford Bridge, will not see things in perspective. But surely he found it difficult to pick himself up after what happened at the Stadium of Light? 'Yes and no,' says Lampard with a smile. 'If you ask my wife, she'll say yes, but if you ask me, I've been there before. 'I've had what I think you can describe as a really good playing career and managerial career. 'But within that, there's ups and downs all the time and that comes with the football territory. 'There are some things you can't quite control – like the Sunderland game in the end. 'But I've got a bit more balance about things like that at the moment even though they really hurt at the time. 'I had to be a big boy and make sure it didn't ruin my summer and it helps that I've developed a good work-life balance. 'I've got children who are all happy and healthy, so you just keep plugging away, sticking at it, giving it your best shot.' And that will mean turning pain into gain at the CBS Arena after the agonising near-miss. 'It was turning into a special story - we were one step away from Wembley and playing really well, particularly in those playoff games,' he added. 'It ultimately came down to small details - chances you don't convert and a header that comes off a shoulder and goes in. 'There was deep disappointment but you get over that because it's football and you have no choice but to start again. 'I spoke to lot of people over the summer. I met Coventry fans and neutrals and they all told me how well we'd done. 'That made me feel proud but my job is to understand that the hard work starts again.' Lampard added: 'We'd made all these strides and then when you miss out, you feel as manager of a club that you have a big responsibility in it. 'I still had a relatively good summer because I was with my family and had a break. 'But there were things, I was thinking all the time. I'm just thinking how can we do better and how can we try and start the season better. 'I can't wait to get back to the competitive games. I'm raring to go.'
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Mikel Arteta offers Viktor Gyokeres verdict after Emirates debut in pre-season defeat to Villarreal - as Gunners boss singles out academy starlet for praise
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted £64million summer signing Viktor Gyokeres will be in a 'very good position' by the time the Premier League season begins after his first pre-season start. The Gunners were beaten 3-2 at home by Villarreal on Wednesday night as the big-money summer signing made his home debut at the Emirates. Gyokeres had limited opportunities to score on his first start for the club, with the Swedish forward playing an hour of the match. His best chance came just before he was substituted, but saw a powerful strike well saved by the Villarreal goalkeeper. The forward had joined Arsenal following a protracted move from Sporting Lisbon, where he had scored 97 goals in 103 matches for the club. With Gyokeres having only a brief cameo in Arsenal's pre-season loss to Tottenham prior to his hour on Wednesday, Arteta insisted the forward will be up to speed by the time the new season starts. 'I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team. 'He's been with us only a week or so, but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking certain spaces. 'So in general, for a lot of players that haven't played many minutes, we have a lot now that they're going to be ready for Saturday in a much better condition.' 'I hope days, and every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling. I think he's getting connections as well outside, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to get in the position that he needs to get in. 'On his fitness level, I think he hasn't trained really with the team for two months, so he's done now six or five sessions I think before today, so I think on Saturday again he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.' Arsenal will face further LaLiga opposition on Saturday when they host Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup, before their Premier League opener away at Man United on August 17. The Gunners will hope to have Kai Havertz available again after he missed the defeat by Villarreal with a minor injury. Arteta also offered praised to 15-year-old academy star Max Dowman for his 'incredible' attacking contributions after another eye-catching pre-season performance. With Arsenal trailing 3-1, Dowman showed quick feet to fool a Villareal defender and induce a foul, resulting in the Gunners being awarded a penatly. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard acknowledged Dowman's contribution after scoring the penalty to reduce the deficit. It was the second penalty Dowman has won in pre-season after help Arsenal win 3-2 against Newcastle on their tour of Asia. The highly-rated youngster also drew the attention of home fans were several darting runs and crosses in the latter stages of the friendly against Villarreal. Arteta praised the youngster and admitted that despite his young age he will continue to deserve chances if he continues to make an impact from the bench. 'Max (Dowman) is moving so fast - even last year when he was training with us, he was doing these kind of things and now he is doing them in the games,' Arteta said. 'The efficiency he shows in every attacking action is incredible. He deserves to have chances and if he continues like this let's see what happens. When asked whether Dowman could be involved in the Premier League, Arteta added 'Let's see how it goes, let's go into Saturday, into the break as well. 'He needs a little break as well because he hasn't had any holidays really, so in the next few days he's going to have a break which I think he needs and then he'll probably be ready again to go.'
