Latest news with #DerekMcInnes'
Scotsman
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Stephen Kingsley's Hearts message on a new era at Tynecastle
Derek McInnes' arrival will mean plenty transfers ahead of season 2025/26 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... Stephen Kingsley has played under four Hearts managers to date and is therefore fairly well qualified to assess what is required in the Tynecastle dugout. Robbie Neilson signed Kingsley in 2020 and was later succeeded by Steven Naismith, Liam Fox and Neil Critchley. The defender is now preparing for business under his fifth coach at the Edinburgh club following Derek McInnes' arrival from Kilmarnock. There is genuine excitement at the beginning of a new era. McInnes will bring stability and a safe pair of hands, but also an aggressive style of football with an emphasis on attack from a team laced with character. Kingsley is eager to play a part. He has heard all the talk about long balls and scepticism over McInnes' style of play, but he doesn't buy into it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I know boys that have played under him and I've heard very good things,' said Kingsley, speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh News. 'I've heard he's a very good man-manager as well and that's something that, as always as a player, you prioritise. He's obviously got a wealth of experience as well, so I know all the boys are really looking forward to having him in. Really looking forward to getting back into pre-season. 'Probably me more than others because of what's gone on this season. So, I'm absolutely buzzing to get back in. I will enjoy my time off, obviously have a couple of weeks with the family and go away and relax a little bit, but at the same time, be in a position where I'm ready to hit the ground running next season. I'm really looking forward to working with him and being in a position where I can go and fight for my place.' The 30-year-old managed only 15 appearances last term as a hamstring tear sidelined him for almost five months. 'I think the summer has come at a good time where I feel fit, I feel good, I feel sharp. So, obviously a new manager coming in the pre-season, it's an opportunity for me to come back and try and be as ready as I can, be as fit as I can and ready to impress as much as I can. Hopefully it will be an enjoyable time under the new manager as well.' Hearts transfers from Norway, Greece, Belgium and Ireland Using two wingers and a mobile striker as part of Hearts' forward line will appeal to many supporters. McInnes is already putting those plans in place with some intense transfer business. A new centre-forward is on the radar following the signings of Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu and Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee. An offer has been made to the Australian international winger Daniel Arzani, and negotiations for the Kazakhstan internationalist Islam Chesnokov are progressing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'You look at his team at Kilmarnock,' Kingsley said of McInnes. 'You've got wingers that can go and take people on, put balls in the box for strikers who are a handful. You'd never enjoy playing against someone like that. You know what you're going to get as a defender anyway. You know what they're going to be, they're going to be tough to beat and you're going to have your work cut out against them. 'That's exciting, that gets people off their chairs, if that's what it brings next season. We've got good players in our squad, I'm sure they'll add to that as well. I'm sure the fans will be really delighted to have that excitement with the wingers, if that's the way it does go. There's a lot to look forward to.' McInnes inherits a Hearts squad which underperformed last season, finishing seventh in the William Hill Premiership. Improvement is essential. However, they did win the last four matches of the campaign under interim head coach Liam Fox, who has since left the club. 'It's obviously a very disappointing season, but after the last four games I've got to mention Foxy,' said Kingsley. 'He's done well in the tough position that he found himself in to win the last four games of the season. I know obviously we were in the bottom section, we don't want to be there, but fair play to Foxy. He did magnificently. That puts us in a good place for going into next season and really challenging again and getting back to where we should be.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kingsley scored the winning goal in the final fixture as 10-man Hearts beat Kilmarnock. McInnes was absent awaiting his move to Edinburgh. 'I think it's been a long season, a tough start, and then obviously with the injury it's just incredibly difficult to get back and get sharp enough where I can feel I can start. Thankfully, over the last few weeks I felt good, really good, so it was nice to end the season and get a start and just get back to where I know I should be. 'It's just a nice wee cherry on top for getting a goal with it. I just found myself in a bit of space when the ball was dropped. Probably, from Kilmarnock's point of view, they'd be wondering how I had so much space on the penalty spot, but I'll take it. Obviously, I went for the far corner, the way I've hit it, I thought it was curving a bit too much. I thought: 'Oh no, this isn't going to go in here.' But thankfully I've just got enough on it. It was a nice ending to a very difficult season.' READ MORE: Hearts transfer move for Australia internationalist
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Derek McInnes' first Hearts game revealed as Tynecastle club confirm their pre season plans
McInnes will be taking the jambos squad to Spain for some warm weather training before a closed doors frinedly Derek McInnes' first game game in charge of Hearts will be against Crawley Town. The Tynecastle club have confirmed their pre-season plans and boss McInnes will take his new squad off to the south of Spain for a week of warm weather training, capped of with a closed-doors game against the English League Two outfit. The game will take place at the Pinatar Arena, located between Murcia and Cartagena. 'Trips like these are a vital part of preparing properly for the season ahead," McInnes said. 'The benefits the players will get from intense training sessions in that kind of heat are clear, and that is crucial for us as we look to hit the ground running when the season starts. 'It's also good for the players to spend time with each other. We've got some new faces, mine included, so for everyone to be in the one place and around each other for a whole week will be great for building relationships.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts head to East Kilbride as Neil Lennon returns to Tynecastle - Premier Sports Cup fixture dates & venues
SPFL announce fixtures and dates for July's group stage 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... Hearts will play their first competitive match at East Kilbride's K Park in July's Premier Sports Cup group stages. The tournament will also see former Celtic and Hibs manager Neil Lennon return to Tynecastle with Dunfermline Athletic in a live television fixture. The Scottish Professional Football League today confirmed fixtures, dates and kick-off times for the group phase. Hearts open their Group E campaign at home to Dunfermline on Saturday, 12 July, in a 5:15pm kick-off in front of the Premier Sports cameras. That will be new head coach Derek McInnes' first competitive game in charge. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Edinburgh side travel to East Kilbride to play Hamilton Academical three days later in a 7.45pm kick-off. The reason for the venue is work being done on the pitch at Broadwood - Accies' temporary home. Hearts then journey to Forthbank to take on Stirling Albion on Saturday, 19 July, in another 5:15pm kick-off which will be shown live by Premier Sports. The final group stage game is back at Tynecastle against Dumbarton, 23 July, at 7:45pm. The SPFL issued a statement confirming the release of this season's group fixtures. It read: 'The SPFL has today confirmed the fixture list for the group stage of the 2025/26 Premier Sports Cup, following Wednesday's draw at Hampden Park. 'Five matches have been selected for live coverage on Premier Sports, beginning with Heart of Midlothian v Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday July 12, kick-off 5.15pm, as new Hearts manager Derek McInnes takes charge of his first competitive game at Tynecastle. 'The other TV fixtures are Kilmarnock v Livingston (Wednesday July 16, ko 7.45pm), Stirling Albion v Heart of Midlothian (Saturday July 19, ko 5.15pm), Motherwell v Greenock Morton (Tuesday July 22, ko 7.45pm) and St Mirren v Ayr United (Sunday July 27, ko 3.00pm). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SPFL say live TV games and Premier Sports app will enhance fans' football experience 'As was the case last season, a number of other matches will be broadcast on the Premier Sports app so fixtures not selected for TV remain subject to change at this stage. A total of 80 games will be played over five matchdays across the group stage, involving 37 SPFL clubs plus Highland League winners Brora Rangers, Highland League runners-up Brechin City and Bonnyrigg Rose of the Lowland League. 'The eight group winners and three best runners-up will join European representatives Celtic (the current holders), Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United in the last 16 on the weekend of August 16/17. 'The quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of September 20/21 and the semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of November 1/2. The 2025/26 Premier Sports Cup final will take place on Sunday December 14.' The SPFL's chief operating office Calum Beattie said: 'We are delighted to be able to announce the fixtures and TV selections for the group stage of the Premier Sports Cup as we look forward to the start of the new season kicking off in July. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In addition to the five matches selected for live coverage on Premier Sports, supporters will also have the opportunity to watch additional games via the Premier Sports app and we hope to be in a position to confirm those selections shortly.' READ MORE: Hearts target a new striker as transfer talks take place
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts to face ex-Hibs man, St Mirren drawn against newly promoted outfit - Premier Sports Cup draw in full
The Premier Sports Cup has thrown up some intriguing ties - especially if you're a Hearts fan. 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... We're just 10 days on from the end of the Scottish Premiership season and preparations have already started for the 2025/26 campaign. The draw for the group stage of the Premier Sports Cup has been confirmed, with all 40 qualifying sides from the SPFL, Lowland and Highland Leagues divided between eight groups. Scheduled to begin in mid-July, there are already a number of eye-popping ties lined up for this summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hearts, who did not take part in the group stage last year due to their participation in European competition, have perhaps been handed the most intriguing clash after being handed a date with second tier outfit Dunfermline Athletic, who are now of course managed by ex-Hibs manager Neil Lennon. Drawn in Group E, new head coach Derek McInnes' first competitive fixtures will also see him take on Hamilton, Stirling Albion and Dumbarton after his arrival from Kilmarnock. The man who replaced him Rugby Park, Stuart Kettlewell, has been drawn against newly promoted sides Livingston and East Fife, alongside Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers. St Mirren, who narrowly missed out on European qualification, have been drawn in Group D and will face a clash with newly promoted Arbroath in one of the games of the round, alongside ties with Scott Brown's Ayr United, Annan Athletic and Forfar Athletic. Last season's semi-finalists Motherwell have been drawn against Greenock Morton, Stenhousemuir, Peterhead and Clyde. Managerless Dundee will face a fascinating clash against Championship side Airdrieonians, who recently survived relegation to the third tier. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The group phase is not regionalised this season following a change to the format back in 2022. The 40 teams were split into five seeding pots based on final league placings in season 2024/25. One club from each pot was drawn into each group. Eight group winners and the three best-placed runners-up progress to the last 16 on the weekend of 16/17 August. Dundee United, Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs have all dodged the group stage this year due to their participation in European competition. Neil Lennon and Derek McInnes will clash once again after Hearts were drawn against Dunfermline Athletic in the Premier Sports Cup. | SNS Group Premier Sports Cup fixture dates The first group stage fixtures are set to begin on the weekend of July 12/13. The rest of the section fixtures follow on 15/16 July, 19/20 July, 22/23 July and 26/27 July. The full fixture list will be announced in due course along with which matches are selected for TV coverage. Once the group stages have been played, the competition moves into a knockout format and begins with the quarter-finals on the weekend of September 20/21. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The semi-finals are then scheduled for the weekend of November 1/2 before the final is set take place at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday 14 December 15 2024. Premier Sports Cup Group Draw Group A Falkirk, Queen's Park, Cove Rangers, Spartans, Brechin City Group B Ross County, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Edinburgh City, Stranraer Group C Dundee, Airdrieonians, Alloa Athletic, Montrose, Bonnyrigg Rose Group D St Mirren, Arbroath, Ayr United, Annan Athletic, Forfar Athletic Group E Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hearts, Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton, Dumbarton, Stirling Albion Group F St Johnstone, Raith Rovers, Inverness, Elgin City, East Kilbride Group G Motherwell, Greenock Morton, Stenhousemuir, Peterhead, Clyde Group H
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Premier Sports Cup group stage draw in FULL as first competitive clashes of 2025/26 season mapped out
Seven Premiership clubs are entering the competition at this early stage UP FOR THE CUP UP FOR THE CUP Premier Sports Cup group stage draw in FULL as first competitive clashes of 2025/26 season mapped out THE curtain has only literally come down on the Scottish football season. But the early part of NEXT season has already been mapped out by the Premier Sports Cup group stage draw. 3 Celtic are the holders of the Premier Sports Cup Credit: Getty 3 Derek McInnes' first competitive Hearts games will take place in the competition Credit: PA 3 East Kilbride and Mick Kennedy will get an early season taste of SPFL opposition Credit: Michael Schofield, News Group Newspapers Ltd As has now become the norm, the coveted competition kicks-off in mid-July. That means an early start to the campaign for several of the Scottish Premiership's big hitters. The five top flight clubs playing in Europe won't enter until the next round, but for the other seven they'll get underway right from the off. Derek McInnes' career as Hearts boss will get underway in the Premier Sports Cup, with his first competitive game in charge taking place in this competition. St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Motherwell are also among the clubs entering here. SPFL newcomers East Kilbride will test themselves against some higher level opposition, while Highland League champions will face TWO top flight clubs in their group. Here's the Premier Sports Cup group stage draw in full. What teams have been drawn to face each other in the Premier Sports Cup group stage draw? Group A: Falkirk, Queen's Park, Cove Rangers, The Spartans, Brechin City Group B: Ross County, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Edinburgh City, Stranraer Group C: Dundee, Airdrieonians, Alloa Athletic, Montrose, Bonnyrigg Rose Group D: St Mirren, Ayr United, Arbroath, Annan Athletic, Forfar Athletic Group E: Hearts, Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical, Dumbarton, Stirling Albion Group F: St Johnstone, Raith Rovers, Inverness CT, Elgin City, East Kilbride Group G: Motherwell, Greenock Morton, Stenhousemuir, Peterhead, Clyde Group H: Kilmarnock, Livingston, Kelty Hearts, East Fife, Brora Rangers How does the Premier Sports Cup group stage work? 40 teams are taking part in the group stage The clubs have been drawn into eight groups of five teams from seeded pots one to five All SPFL clubs take part in the group stage apart from the five Premiership clubs competing in European competition (Celtic, Rangers, Hibs, Dundee United and Aberdeen) Bonnyrigg Rose, who were relegated out of the SPFL last season via the play-offs, are taking part as well as the top two teams from the Highland League, Brora Rangers and Brechin City Each team will play their group opponents once, with two games at home and two games away All eight group winners will progress to the second round The three best-runners up will also advance to the second round with all other clubs eliminated from the competition As always, three points are awarded for a win and a point for a draw - but matches ending in a draw will see the teams take part in a penalty shoot-out with a bonus point awarded to the winners When does the Premier Sports Cup group stage take place? The first matchday will take place across the weekend of July 12/13 This will be followed by matches on the midweek of July 15/16, weekend of July 19/20 and the midweek of July 22/23 The final round of matches will he be held on the weekend of July 26/27 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
