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Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
McInnes: ‘there is still more to come'
Derek McInnes admitted that games against clubs in other divisions can catch teams like Hearts out, but, once again the Tynecastle team's approach was good and the squad came through the Premier Sports Cup clash with Stirling Albion from Scottish League Two with a 4-0 win. Three of the goals came inside the first 38 minutes, and the club's head coach told Hearts TV that coming away from home in a cup competition can be difficult. Stirling Albion, he admitted, surprised the Tynecastle coaching team, coming in with a back four, something with McInnes said they have never done. Albion, he argued, are normally a back five, but the tactical move, he admitted, helped the visitors. He said: 'It was a bit more straight forward in terms of two wingers, two strikers. We got a lot right in the first half, especially in the early periods. They made a wee change before half time and came out second half, bolstered the middle of the pitch, with a 5-3-1-1, and it meant us going round the houses a bit more. We needed to be a little sharper. We wanted to show that penetration. 'We won 4-0, that's 12 goals and one conceded (in the Premier Sports Cup), goalkeeper Zander Clark has not made a save and we would have taken that before the game but, equally, I still think there is more to come.' McInnes said: 'We got one goal second half but we should really be showing a lot more authority in terms of creating chances. Not completely happy but happy with the approach of the team.' There were, he said, good combinations, some involving Alan Forrest, Harry Milne and Alexandros Kyziridis, and some good striking movements between Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga. They were well supported. Demanding McInnes said: 'You need to be aggressive in the first contact and look after the first pass, so there was a lot of that, but I was still looking for a bit more even within that first half in terms of the types of crosses we put in, when to cross and decision making at times. 'I am also conscious that pre-season, these games are to sharpen up your work but, because the focus is on you to win games competitively, it is not always straight forward. We got the job done and we are back in training on Sunday. 'Get some training into the lads, see them assessed in terms of injuries.' Beni Baningime was a noteable absentee at Forthbank because of a strain from training on Friday. He was not expected to train on Sunday but, hopefully, he will be ready to play some part in the game against Dumbarton at Tynecastle on Wednesday (kick-off 19.45) in the same competition. The ex-Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss added that good habits, winning games, clean sheets are what his is looking for but he stressed: 'Listen, we are a wee bit short of what I am looking for.' McInnes also praised 2,000 fans for coming to Stirling in big numbers in the heavy rain and he said: 'I am finding out about the team, they want to find out about the team, and any time you make the effort to travel it is important to see the team win and get a wee flavour of what we could be. 'Bigger challenges ahead, of course, but we dealt with the challenge that was here today.' TALK-IN: Training chat between Derek McInnes (right) and Blair Spittal. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Halkett at the double as Hearts hit four at Stirling
Craig Halkett netted a glory double as hearts swept Stirling Albion aside 4-0 at Forthbank in the Premier Sports Cup, Group E. The 30-year-old defender, whose recent career has been dogged by injury, opened the scoring after 13 minutes and completed the tally with ten minutes of regulation time remaining. Halkett (pictured by Nigel Duncan) also recorded an assist on Hearts' second netted by newcomer Claudio Braga. And Alex Kyziridis scored on his debut and also set up the opener for Halkett in the comfortable win against the Scottish League Two outfit. Three of the Jambos goals came in the first 38 minutes and the victory consolidated the Jambos at the top of the section with a perfect record of three straight wins. Derek McInnes has seen his men score 12 goals against Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical and now Stirling with only one in reply. Dunfermline are second in the section with three points, the same as third-placed Hamilton and Dumbarton, who are fourth, with Stirling Albion propping up the section. The Forthbank win also earned the Men in Maroon their second clean sheet in a week after their 4-0 victory at Broadwood against Hamilton and the Gorgie men complete their schedule with a home game against Dumbarton on Wednesday (kick-off 19.45). Like this: Like Related
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Recently departed Celtic keeper joins ambitious SPFL side
The 21-year-old spent 12 years at Parkhead. Although Morrison never made a senior competitive appearance for his boyhood club, he was included in several Champions League matchday squads the season before last. His time at Celtic ended in May after a brief loan spell at Stenhousemuir, and he has now found a new club. Read more: Indeed, Morrison has penned a one-year deal with ambitious Scottish League Two side East Kilbride. They were promoted to the SPFL pyramid last season after winning the Lowland League and successfully navigating the play-offs. Managed by Mick Kennedy, former Celtic academy player Si Ferry is the assistant boss. They recently defeated Championship outfit Raith Rovers 4-2 in a surprise victory in the League Cup group stage. Morrison will look to feature when they take on Elgin City in the same competition this weekend. After departing Celtic in May, Morrison took to Instagram. He said: "After twelve years, today was my last day at Celtic. "Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my journey and made it so special. I will never forget it."
Edinburgh Reporter
7 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Another blow for Citizens and their fans
It was a long road back to the Capital for Citizens fans after a second straight defeat in the Premier Sports Cup. The 4-0 reverse before 781 fans against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park followed the 4-1 home reverse to Partick Thistle last Friday in their opening game in the competition, all the goals here coming in the first half. And it was even more disappointing for birthday boy, City striker Jaden Ferguson, who turned 22 this week. Kurtis Guthrie opened the scoring after 16 minutes for the William Hill League One side and Reece Lyon added a second a minute after the half-time break. Lyon was on the mark for his second and Queens third only five minutes later and Michael Hewitt found the net for the fourth after 78 minutes. Liam Smith was booked by referee Connor Ashwood two minutes into injury time for the home side but City had six yellow cards dished out to Jason Jarvis, Robert Mahon and Callum Brodie, all between the 71st and 75th minutes, a Trialist on 90 minutes, manager Michael McIndoe a minute into second-half injury time, and Quinn Mitchell two minutes later. McIndoe will have to lift his Scottish League Two squad for the visit of William Hill League Two outfit Stranraer to Meadowbank on Saturday (15.00) but the loss of eight goals with only one in reply during the first two games in the competition must be a concern. Stranraer, who drew 1-1 with Ross County in regulation time in their opening game before winning 6-5 on penalties, go into the clash following a 2-0 defeat to Partick Thistle at Maryhill on Tuesday following goals from Lee Ashcroft two minutes into first-half injury time and Tony Watt with two minutes of regulation time remaining. PICTURE: City manager Michael McIndoe who was booked at Palmerston Park. Courtesy of Edinburgh City Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
City manager ready for Friday night clash
Edinburgh City manager, Michael McIndoe, witnessed the team being crushed 6-0 by Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup 12 months ago. City have moved on and their ambitious manager is excited to see the progress of his squad against the same team when they clash at Meadowbank on Friday (kick-off 19.45) in the same competition. Quinn Mitchell, Jason Jarvis and James Stokes all left the field through injury in the challenge game against Dunbar last Thursday in East Lothian. However, manager McIndoe expects the trio to be in contention for a place in his Scottish League Two side against the Jags who play in the Championship and narrowly missed out on promotion last term. City are in a five-strong pool along with Thistle plus Queen of the South, Ross County, who lost out to Livingston in the promotion/relegation play-offs, and Stranraer. Stranraer host Ross County on Saturday. PICTURE: Michael McIndoe courtesy of Edinburgh City and taken by Tommy Lee Like this: Like Related
