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Press and Journal
an hour ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Richard Gordon: Aberdeen's defeat at Tynecastle highlighted the need to bolster the squad before transfer window closes
The Dons' Premiership campaign got off to a sluggish and unconvincing start at Tynecastle, and they could have no complaints about heading back up the road pointless. Hearts were the more aggressive, more determined side right from the off, dominated the first half, and despite a brief mini-revival after the interval, the home were deserved winners. They had clearly benefitted from playing four Premier Sports Cup group matches and looked so much sharper throughout, while Aberdeen appeared undercooked after a pre-season which included just three warm-up matches. That might have been a mistake given how much more ready Derek McInnes' men were, but even another couple of friendlies might not have helped; there is no substitute for competitive action, and with the later start in Europe, there was no way round that for Jimmy Thelin. There was much focus on Kusini Yengi, naturally so given the two gilt-edged chances he spurned, and for the most part he looked like a striker who hasn't scored a club goal since April 2024. The Aussie is clearly bereft of confidence, and needs time to settle into his new surroundings, but he will not get a whole lot of that, because the Dons need someone capable of finding the back of the net now; they do not have the luxury of waiting a few months. While there have been success stories in recent times – Bojan Miovski and, eventually, Kevin Nisbet – too much money has been splashed out on forwards, some of whom are still at the club, who look anything but regular goalscorers. It is too early to make any real judgement on Yengi, but he looked less than convincing on his first proper outing, and has some work to do if he is to become Aberdeen's go-to centre-forward. There has been much talk about Marko Lazetic, who seems to be highly-rated, but remains largely unproven, and has no real track record as a goalscorer. That potential deal seems to have stalled, so it might well be that the Dons have to look elsewhere. They will need to act fast. As well as Hearts, Hibernian have started impressively and recorded a notable win in Europe; the opposition look in fine fettle at this stage. The first weekend left Aberdeen bottom of the table, the defeat following on from four straight losses to finish off the 2024-25 league season, and it extended the largely dismal run stretching back to last November. Given that, the visit of the champions is probably the last fixture they would have wanted, and while Celtic were nowhere near their scintillating best in the win over St Mirren, they will travel north, as they always do, in full expectation of securing the three points. While they have picked up a few draws along the way, not since February 2016 has there been a Dons victory at Pittodrie in this fixture. This would be the perfect time to end that run, but the performance will have to be considerably better than we saw at Tynecastle if they are to even give themselves a chance of doing so. Aberdeen were sanctioned by the SPFL this week after being held responsible for the actions of a group of fans who continue to put lives at risk with the senseless use of pyrotechnics and flares. For now, the punishment has been suspended, but if there is any repeat, the Merkland Stand will be partially closed. The Red Shed has been a welcome addition to the atmosphere at Pittodrie, generating colour and noise, but certain supporters seem to feel they are untouchable, above the law, and unless they rein in their behaviour, their actions could have serious repercussions. The Dons are by no means the only club affected; plenty others have been targeted by the authorities as a result of the mindless behaviour of some of their fans. It is a trend which has gathered pace in recent years, and it is going to have to be stopped. If it continues, someone is going to be seriously injured, or worse. I would hope the supporters in question come to their senses and eventually realise that.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
New signings, Hearts tactics, the stutter at St Mirren and what comes next
Premier Sports Cup exit in Paisley was tough for the Edinburgh club to take 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... Call it a reality check, a defeat by the narrowest of margins, or just a plain old bad day at the office. Regardless of your perspective, Hearts' Premier Sports Cup exit at St Mirren on Saturday was a stutter in a flow of victories under Derek McInnes' stewardship. Six wins from six preceded the trip to Paisley, but losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw hit hard. Tynecastle management had designs on ending the club's long wait to lift the League Cup. Instead, a 63-year delay will extend to 64 years by the time next season's tournament comes round. There are various reasons behind this year's ousting at the last-16 stage, not to mention plenty frustration at how the 120 minutes panned out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Several issues arose during the first half of the regulation 90 minutes with Hearts in a 3-4-3 formation after starting both Premiership games against Aberdeen and Dundee United in a 3-5-2 system. New signings Pierre Landry Kabore and Tomas Magnusson made their first starts in maroon, while fellow summer recruit Alexandros Kyziridis made only his second. All three newcomers toiled for different reasons and were replaced at half-time as McInnes made a triple substitution. Kabore lined up on the right of the visitors' front three, with Kyziridis on the left and Lawrence Shankland the central striker. Magnusson partnered Cammy Devlin in midfield. As the game settled, it was clear St Mirren's aggression, physicality and high press were unsettling their guests. Energy, desire and sheer strength are non-negotiables against any Stephen Robinson team, and Hearts looked off the pace. Saints set up in their familiar 3-5-2 and took command of the central area, where the imposing triumvirate of Killian Phillips, Keanu Baccus and captain Mark O'Hara enjoyed both a physical and numerical advantage over Devlin and Magnusson. Hearts midfielder Oisin McEntee would have helped combat that problem at 6ft 3in tall, but he was shunted to right wing-back for this fixture. The Irishman was asked to step into midfield when Hearts had possession, however out of possession he was out wide and St Mirren therefore dominated the middle of the pitch. There is no doubt McEntee is more effective in central midfield, witness Hearts' opening Premiership victories against Aberdeen and Dundee United. He was badly missed in there at the weekend with Magnusson caught on the ball several times and appearing to lack sharpness in a frenetic Scottish Cup tie. The Icelander was cautioned after five minutes and struggled thereafter. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kabore lacked nothing in appetite as he put himself about up and down the right side. Blootering the St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George in a 17th-minute aerial challenge illustrated his determination to make an impact. He was booked in first-half stoppage-time and replaced in the dressing-room minutes later. Kyziridis also struggled to get into the game having been given little space to breathe by a combination of Jayden Richardson and Marcus Fraser on the right side of St Mirren's defence. McInnes identified the need for change, but Alex Gogic's volley from a free-kick routine caught Hearts out to give the hosts a 1-0 half-time advantage. Levelling the scoreline was a challenge against Robinson's well-drilled rearguard, and the Tynecastle side toiled to find a way through. They switched to 4-4-2 when winger Alan Forrest replaced centre-back Craig Halkett on 74 minutes and scored four minutes later. McEntee - now playing as a orthodox right-back - met Harry Milne's corner with a powerful back-post header. For the third game in succession, Hearts looked more comfortable in that 4-4-2 shape and scored whilst using it. The theme of starting with a three-man defence and flipping to a back four in the second half was present in many of their seven competitive matches this term. They won the first six but this time St Mirren held firm. Hearts pushed forward for the remainder of the game and throughout extra-time, but Robinson's side resisted and eventually won 5-4 on penalties. SPFL Premiership fixtures resume as Motherwell visit Edinburgh So what comes next when Motherwell visit Tynecastle on league business this Saturday? McEntee back in midfield would seem likely, and there is an argument for starting in a 4-4-2 formation if it permits more attacking threat. McInnes likes 4-4-2 but is, understandably, concerned about his team being outnumbered in central midfield against opponents who deploy three players in that area. The Hearts head coach also likes two strikers up front. He certainly got no joy from using three in Paisley, so a 4-3-3 experiment would seem unlikely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Recent signings like Kabore and Magnusson will need more time to acclimatise to Scottish football. Kabore, the Burkina Faso internationalist, may be more effective as a central striker than a winger. That may become clearer in time. For now, Hearts remain a work in progress three months since appointing McInnes from Kilmarnock. They weren't supposed to be the finished article, the transfer window is still open, and nine new signings are at varying stages in terms of fitness and familiarity with the Scottish game. Defeat on penalties at St Mirren is hugely disappointing for Hearts, but not an outright disaster in terms of the direction the team is heading in. Had Saturday's match been a league game, then a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes would not have been viewed as a wholly unacceptable result for a team still gelling together after nine new signings. There are still tweaks and adjustments to be made, and there is no doubt McInnes' team will be stronger when the Scottish Cup campaign begins in mid-January. Between now and then, league prowess will be monitored closely in the absence of any European or cup adventures. Hearts and minds will therefore be focused on one issue only in the weeks and months ahead. If Saturday was a jolt, there is plenty time to use it positively and continue the recent improvement. READ MORE: Baningime wants more responsibility READ MORE: Candid reaction from McInnes
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts player set for Hibs first this weekend as he opens up on Tynecastle transfer decision
Jambos midfielder aiming to catch Derek McInnes' eye after returning to Livingston on loan 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... Throughout his time as a Hearts player, Macaulay Tait has never been granted the opportunity to make a name for himself against fierce Edinburgh rivals Hibs in a competitive fixture. This afternoon, the 19-year-old midfielder will finally get his chance to tick that off his bucket list - but in sporting the yellow and black colours of Livingston. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tait agreed to return to the Lions on a season-long loan deal in June after helping David Martindale's side secure promotion back to the Premiership via the play-offs last term. That decision appears to have already paid off after starting all six games so far this season and picking up from where he left off during the final six months of the previous campaign. He's bored of hearing numerous stories from his Tynecastle teammates about what it means to get one over their bitter rivals, insisting the time is now to sample that feeling for himself. 'I've never played against Hibs,' Tait revealed as he looked ahead of their Premier Sports Cup tie against David Gray's side. 'I have in the academy, but not in a competitive game, so I'm really looking forward to playing in that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It'll probably mean a wee bit more if we can win, but I think you just want to win every game. That's the way the boys are in the changing room — it's the feeling we want every week. 'To do it against one of the bigger teams in the league would be exciting. I've got a few Hearts fans that will be here, no doubt. Hopefully it'll be a tough game for Hibs and for me to come out on the right side of it.' Tait's decision to return to Livingston was a no-brainer, admitting: 'It would have been quite easy just to sit in my comfort zone, sit on the stand or on the bench (at Hearts) and maybe play every now and again but I didn't like it. 'I didn't enjoy not playing. I wanted to test myself and I wanted to play at a high level, so it just made so much more sense to come back to Livi. You've got to play games as much as you can. That's the only way you're going to get better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I just wanted to continue like the last six months of the previous season and go somewhere where I'll enjoy playing. It's a really good environment here to develop in. It's a great changing room. 'They've (coaching staff) been brilliant with me. They've put a lot of effort into me, which, as a loan player, that's all you can ask for. Obviously, playing as much as I have has been great.' Asked whether a conversation took place with Derek McInnes over the summer that convinced him it was the right call to return to West Lothian, Tait responded: 'I'd say it was more the gaffer here, to be honest. He was pushing it a lot. 'We spoke and both agreed that there was a chance to go back to somewhere where I was comfortable and try to play as many games in the top flight, and then see where it takes us after that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I didn't want to waste the six months I had last year at Livi. I had a frustrating first six months prior to that. I think that was his big message — to kick on from last season and continue into this. 'There was no point staying at Hearts and getting 20-30 minutes at the end of games. I'd done that for a bit. It was now — can I do it for 90 minutes? That's where we're at, can I do it every single week from the start? 'Coming here, I didn't have to try and impress anyone again. I just had to do what I was doing and keep putting a smile on my face. That's what has brought the best out of me.' Tait still has ambitions of becoming a regular starter in Gorgie and knows that racking up the appearances whilst performing to a high standard for Livi is a necessity in order to catch McInnes' eye. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think they will (be tracking me), but I'm not sure,' he added. 'I've not really spoken to them about that. I've just been focusing on me just now, to be honest. If I can play as much as I can, then hopefully they see what they like. That makes them make a decision. That's all I can do.' Your next read:
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts riding crest of wave: Spirit, in-squad joust and 'I never thought I'd be friends'
Findlay revels in all aspects of Tynecastle life - from defending to goal competition with fellow defender Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Opening fixtures against Aberdeen and Dundee United amount to a difficult start to any Premiership season for Hearts. Deriving maximum points from both games suggests that the rest of the league should take notice of Derek McInnes' new-look side. Indeed, belief at Riccarton is that this team will simply grow in strength and stature in the weeks ahead. Defender Stuart Findlay is, not to put too fine a point on it, absolutely loving life since joining Hearts on loan from Oxford United. Four goals in his first give games is only part of the reason. After scoring twice in Sunday's 3-2 win at Tannadice Park, including a dramatic 94th-minute winner, the 29-year-old left Dundee surfing an emotional wave. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He cited team spirit and unity as two of the most important factors as Hearts look to become a challenging force in Scottish football once again. Both those commodities were vital to Sunday's success as the visitors overhauled a 2-1 half-time deficit to earn an exhilarating victory. The Hearts players celebrate their win over Dundee United at Tannadice. | SNS Group 'When I signed, obviously you have played against a few guys here [while on loan at Kilmarnock] and you know what they're like on the pitch,' said Findlay. 'You don't really know what they're like off the pitch, but the changing-room is absolutely brilliant. We've got boys coming from all over the world. Guys like Kyzi [Alexandros Kyziridis] - I never thought I'd be friends with a guy from Greece but we hit it off really early. 'You get these friendships with guys you'd never usually be put together with. You don't win games of football like that if you've not got that unity in the changing-room. As I said, I think we're only going to get stronger. We're only going to get to know each other better on and off the pitch, and I'm excited for what's going to happen going forward. 'In the first half on Sunday we probably had the majority of the play, but we knew ourselves that there was a lot to improve on. We weren't overly happy with the two goals we lost. We needed to do better in certain situations, but we knew they would tire. We knew how hard they had worked on Thursday night [against Rapid Vienna in Europe] and we had to use that to our advantage. We knew set-pieces were going to be pivotal. So to pop up with that, obviously, I'm delighted it was me but we didn't care who it was. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A special moment for 'buzzing' defender 'It was a massive three points for us. I know it is early on, but to get six points out of six could be really important for us. The first goal is probably the best header I have scored technically. The second one, just as soon as I saw the ball coming in, I gambled on the front-post run and luckily enough I got a good connection on it. The rest is history, as they say. I didn't realise how late it was in the game. That made it a lot easier when you looked up at the clock and you didn't need to defend for long after that. But it was a special moment and I'm buzzing.' This is still very much an embryonic Hearts side. Recent signings like Tomas Magnusson, Sabah Kerjota and Pierre Landry Kabore have yet to make any kind of impact. Findlay candidly acknowledged that more improvement is needed, and that the two league performances contained rough edges needing smoothed. 'On Monday against Aberdeen we were the better side throughout, but we knew we weren't probably at our free-flowing best,' said the centre-back. 'We would be the first to admit that. On Sunday, nobody is going to say it was the most vintage 90 minutes. I think we were the better team, we deserved to win, but if you can add the quality we've got to that resilience and never-say-die attitude, we'll be able to win games ugly sometimes. Stuart Findlay scored twice for Hearts against Dundee United. | SNS Group 'We know what we can improve on, we know it's only getting better the longer we play, the longer we gel. Tannadice is a hard place to go to. They finished fourth last year for a reason. So to get three points is a massive victory. Aberdeen and Dundee United hasn't been the easiest start in the world so to start with six points, it's a testament to the squad.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's also a testament to set-piece coach Ross Grant. Findlay won a penalty-kick from a corner for Lawrence Shankland to open the scoring, then headed home two further corners to secure the win. 'We've got quality in abundance in the right areas,' he explained. 'They've brought in these new players for a reason. When the games are tight, you've got guys that can produce moments of quality. I'm the one that maybe grabs the headlines, putting the ball in the net, but I need the ball put on my head to start with. I think it's a team effort and, as I said, I'm just lucky enough to be the one sitting here reaping the rewards of the double.' Has he worked on heading in attacking areas? 'If you'd watched me over the last couple of years, you wouldn't say that! I think I've scored two in the last two seasons. It's not something I'm known for but I said after I scored my first one that it's something I want to add to my game. That's me on four already for the season. Me and Halks [Craig Halkett] sort of have a little joke with each other, to see who can get the most goals out of a competition. 'It started after the controversy of the Stirling Albion goal, but yeah, that's me two ahead of him now. Obviously it's something we're working on as a team, but my bread and butter is keeping them out at the other end. The two goals we lost on Sunday brought us back down to earth and we know there are things we need to improve on, but I'll take my goals when they come. They don't happen too often.'
Scotsman
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts riding crest of wave: Spirit, in-squad joust and 'I never thought I'd be friends'
Findlay revels in all aspects of Tynecastle life - from defending to goal competition with fellow defender Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Opening fixtures against Aberdeen and Dundee United amount to a difficult start to any Premiership season for Hearts. Deriving maximum points from both games suggests that the rest of the league should take notice of Derek McInnes' new-look side. Indeed, belief at Riccarton is that this team will simply grow in strength and stature in the weeks ahead. Defender Stuart Findlay is, not to put too fine a point on it, absolutely loving life since joining Hearts on loan from Oxford United. Four goals in his first give games is only part of the reason. After scoring twice in Sunday's 3-2 win at Tannadice Park, including a dramatic 94th-minute winner, the 29-year-old left Dundee surfing an emotional wave. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He cited team spirit and unity as two of the most important factors as Hearts look to become a challenging force in Scottish football once again. Both those commodities were vital to Sunday's success as the visitors overhauled a 2-1 half-time deficit to earn an exhilarating victory. The Hearts players celebrate their win over Dundee United at Tannadice. | SNS Group 'When I signed, obviously you have played against a few guys here [while on loan at Kilmarnock] and you know what they're like on the pitch,' said Findlay. 'You don't really know what they're like off the pitch, but the changing-room is absolutely brilliant. We've got boys coming from all over the world. Guys like Kyzi [Alexandros Kyziridis] - I never thought I'd be friends with a guy from Greece but we hit it off really early. 'You get these friendships with guys you'd never usually be put together with. You don't win games of football like that if you've not got that unity in the changing-room. As I said, I think we're only going to get stronger. We're only going to get to know each other better on and off the pitch, and I'm excited for what's going to happen going forward. 'In the first half on Sunday we probably had the majority of the play, but we knew ourselves that there was a lot to improve on. We weren't overly happy with the two goals we lost. We needed to do better in certain situations, but we knew they would tire. We knew how hard they had worked on Thursday night [against Rapid Vienna in Europe] and we had to use that to our advantage. We knew set-pieces were going to be pivotal. So to pop up with that, obviously, I'm delighted it was me but we didn't care who it was. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A special moment for 'buzzing' defender 'It was a massive three points for us. I know it is early on, but to get six points out of six could be really important for us. The first goal is probably the best header I have scored technically. The second one, just as soon as I saw the ball coming in, I gambled on the front-post run and luckily enough I got a good connection on it. The rest is history, as they say. I didn't realise how late it was in the game. That made it a lot easier when you looked up at the clock and you didn't need to defend for long after that. But it was a special moment and I'm buzzing.' This is still very much an embryonic Hearts side. Recent signings like Tomas Magnusson, Sabah Kerjota and Pierre Landry Kabore have yet to make any kind of impact. Findlay candidly acknowledged that more improvement is needed, and that the two league performances contained rough edges needing smoothed. 'On Monday against Aberdeen we were the better side throughout, but we knew we weren't probably at our free-flowing best,' said the centre-back. 'We would be the first to admit that. On Sunday, nobody is going to say it was the most vintage 90 minutes. I think we were the better team, we deserved to win, but if you can add the quality we've got to that resilience and never-say-die attitude, we'll be able to win games ugly sometimes. Stuart Findlay scored twice for Hearts against Dundee United. | SNS Group 'We know what we can improve on, we know it's only getting better the longer we play, the longer we gel. Tannadice is a hard place to go to. They finished fourth last year for a reason. So to get three points is a massive victory. Aberdeen and Dundee United hasn't been the easiest start in the world so to start with six points, it's a testament to the squad.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's also a testament to set-piece coach Ross Grant. Findlay won a penalty-kick from a corner for Lawrence Shankland to open the scoring, then headed home two further corners to secure the win. 'We've got quality in abundance in the right areas,' he explained. 'They've brought in these new players for a reason. When the games are tight, you've got guys that can produce moments of quality. I'm the one that maybe grabs the headlines, putting the ball in the net, but I need the ball put on my head to start with. I think it's a team effort and, as I said, I'm just lucky enough to be the one sitting here reaping the rewards of the double.' Has he worked on heading in attacking areas? 'If you'd watched me over the last couple of years, you wouldn't say that! I think I've scored two in the last two seasons. It's not something I'm known for but I said after I scored my first one that it's something I want to add to my game. That's me on four already for the season. Me and Halks [Craig Halkett] sort of have a little joke with each other, to see who can get the most goals out of a competition. 'It started after the controversy of the Stirling Albion goal, but yeah, that's me two ahead of him now. Obviously it's something we're working on as a team, but my bread and butter is keeping them out at the other end. The two goals we lost on Sunday brought us back down to earth and we know there are things we need to improve on, but I'll take my goals when they come. They don't happen too often.'
