Latest news with #Hearts
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Rangers boss Russell Martin begins Premiership reign with trip to Motherwell
Martin's first William Hill Premiership match in charge will see him go head to head with former Norwich team-mate Jens Berthel Askou, who was recently installed as Motherwell manager. The fixture will kick off at 5.30pm on Saturday, August 2 and will mark the weekend of the 130th anniversary of the first game at Fir Park. There is only one Premiership game taking place at 3pm on the Saturday, which sees Stuart Kettlewell start his Kilmarnock reign with the visit of newly-promoted Livingston. Falkirk end their 15-year absence from the top flight with a home game against Dundee United the following afternoon in one of four matches to be screened live by Sky Sports over the opening fixture card. Former Hearts captain Steven Pressley begins his first league campaign as Dundee head coach at home to Hibernian on the Sunday, following the Leith club's Europa League tie with Midtjylland. Champions Celtic will unfurl the league flag later that day ahead of hosting St Mirren in a 4.30pm kick-off. Hearts and Aberdeen fans will need to wait until 8pm on the Monday to see their teams start the season at Tynecastle as new head coach Derek McInnes begins his Premiership campaign at home against one of his former clubs. Martin's first league game at Ibrox will kick off at 5.30pm on August 9 with Dundee the visitors in a game to be shown live by Premier Sports. Celtic have the chance to atone for their Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final defeat by Aberdeen when they travel to Pittodrie the following day for a 12.30pm kick-off. There are no league games in the third weekend of August with the second round of the Premier Sports Cup taking place. Rangers head coach Martin will experience his first derby in charge on Sunday, August 31, when Celtic visit Ibrox for a noon showdown. The festive schedule is slightly less hectic than usual with only one midweek slot rather than the usual two. Six matches are scheduled for Saturday, December 27, including an Edinburgh derby at Easter Road, which has been earmarked for live television coverage at 12.30pm. There is a full fixture card three days later with Celtic travelling to Fir Park before hosting Rangers in a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, January 3. All teams – including a Dundee derby at Tannadice – play that afternoon. There are six midweek fixture dates in total including two in succession in early February, either side of the Scottish Cup fifth round. The final games before the split are pencilled in for April 11, when St Mirren will be aiming to seal a fourth consecutive top-six finish when they travel to Celtic Park. As in recent seasons, there is a full midweek card in the final week of the season, which ends on May 17-18. The SPFL season in general will kick off on Friday, August 1 when Arbroath return to the Championship with a home game against Ayr United. St Johnstone return to second-tier football with a home game against Partick Thistle the following day and will face fellow relegated side Ross County in the second weekend of the season. East Kilbride's first SPFL game will see Spartans visit K-Park in a League 2 encounter on August 2.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Which club has the toughest start?
Opta have crunched the numbers to rank the difficulty of each Scottish Premiership club's first four fixtures of the 2025-26 to their data model, St Mirren have the toughest start, followed by two clubs helmed by new managers, Dundee and for the easiest, Hibernian and capital rivals Hearts should got off to a flier, right? Take a look below to see where your side places...
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts 'still in fight' to keep Lawrence Shankland as swithering striker told what his best option is
Hearts boss provides update on future of star striker 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... Derek McInnes has insisted that Hearts remain in the fight to keep Lawrence Shankland but admits a decision will need to be made soon on whether he stays or goes. McInnes has made retaining the Scotland striker one of his top priorities since being appointed the new Hearts head coach last month following a three-and-a-half year spell in charge of Kilmarnock. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Shankland has scored 68 goals across the past three seasons at Hearts since joining from Belgian side Beerschot in the summer of 2022, becoming the first player to score 20 or more goals in a single season for theTynecastle club in 31 years. He has also captained the side since taking over the armband from Craig Gordon following the goalkeeper's double leg break in December 2022. The 29-year-old is considering his options with reported interest from West Bromwich Albion in the English Championship as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia. McInnes feels, however, that penning a contract extension to remain with Hearts would be in the striker's best interests. Hearts are still fighting to keep out-of-contract striker Lawrence Shankland at the club next season. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group "We're in constant dialogue with Lawrence," McInnes told Sky Sports. "I've spoken to his agents as well several times through the past few weeks. Lawrence has obviously got a lot to consider. We think we are a really strong option for him. Whether we are the best option in Lawrence's eyes we need to wait and see. "There will come a point where we need to draw a line under it. Lawrence has got to look after himself, and I've got to look after Hearts. Hopefully we can find the solution because he is a player that I think can really thrive with us at Hearts. He's shown in the time here how important he is and you try not to let players like that leave without putting up the best fight you can. And we're in the fight for him. I believe we're a really srong option for Lawrence - the best option for him at this moment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "He's got the World Cup to try and get involved in at the end of next season. If he can score at least 25 goals in our Hearts team next season then I think it's a safe bet that he would be going to the World Cup with Scotland. There's loads of reasons why Lawrence could see this as a good option for him. Hopefully we're his best option and at the minute we're in the fight to keep him." Lawrence Shankland with the former Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes, who is now hoping keep him at Hearts. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group Hearts begin the new season in the Premier Sports Cup group stages next month before their William Hill Premiership campaign opens against Aberdeen at Tynecastle on Monday, August 4. The transfer window remains open until September 1 and while no deadline for Shankland has been set, McInnes admits a decision on his future will need to be made sooner rather than later.
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Why Hearts have hired a set piece coach and his connection to Austin MacPhee after Villa and Scotland stints
A new face was added to Derek McInnes' backroom staff as the Hearts boss continues to settle into life at Tynecastle. 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... Derek McInnes has enjoyed a productive start to life at Hearts after adding a number of new faces to the squad he inherited last month. The former Kilmarnock manager wasted little time in boosting his on-field ranks as the likes of Stuart Findlay, Oisin McEntee, Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis all arrived at Tynecastle and Elton Kabangu's loan switch was converted into a permanent move. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McInnes has also added to his backroom staff after Ross Grant was named as the club's new set-piece coach after joining the Jambos from Premiership rivals Dundee United after spending four years within the academy setup at Tannadice. Hearts gave an insight into Grant's responsibility in a statement released on the club website as they stated he will 'tailored coaching and analysis to the first team as part of a data driven approach to improving both attacking and defensive set piece outcomes'. Why Hearts have moved to bolster Derek McInnes' backroom Grant has a solid grounding in coaching after working at several levels with the AM Soccer Club set up by Austin McPhee and working alongside the highly regarded coach during his time with Danish club FC Midtjylland, Aston Villa and Scotland. Grant is now relishing the opportunity to make the most of his experience working alongside McPhee and is determined to showcase his 'innovation and creativity' during his time at Tynecastle. Speaking to the official club website, he said: 'I'm delighted to be joining Hearts, and can't wait to get started. Working alongside Austin, my understanding and knowledge of set pieces, and the importance of them, in the game has developed across the years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I had a good conversation with Graeme Jones about integrating set play coaching into the club. I'll look to provide clarity, but I'm also excited to develop innovation and creativity about how we make set pieces more successful in both attacking and defensive terms. I'm looking forward to working with the new management team ahead of the new season." Hearts verdict on new coach A club statement reads: 'Heart of Midlothian Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ross Grant as the club's first Set Play Coach. Bringing 15 years of experience to Gorgie across grassroots and professional settings, Ross also holds degrees in sports and performance coaching from Abertay and the University of Stirling. Ross joins the Jambos from Premiership side Dundee United, where he spent four years coaching in the professional phase of the Tannadice academy. 'Forming a key part of Derek McInnes' backroom staff, he will provide tailored coaching and analysis to the first team as part of a data driven approach to improving both attacking and defensive set piece outcomes. Starting in 2010, Ross cut his coaching teeth at Austin MacPhee's highly regarded AM Soccer Club, working his way up to General Manager before picking up further experience coaching in the United States and China. 'Ross's relationship with MacPhee continued into the latter's roles at FC Midtjylland, Aston Villa and the Scotland national team, where Ross provided support and analysis to Austin in his role as Set Piece Coach for the last six years. He'll now bring his talents to Tynecastle as the Jambos begin a new era under the leadership of Derek McInnes.'
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Hearts ‘considering move for Scotland star' if Lawrence Shankland decides to quit Tynecastle
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTS are exploring alternatives close to home in the event that Lawrence Shankland doesn't sign a new contract. And in doesn't get much closer than a player who's played for two Premiership rivals - including their most hated. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Lawrence Shankland scoring for Hearts against Motherwell Credit: Roddy Scott 4 Former Hibee Kevin Nisbet won the Scottish Cup with Aberdeen last season Credit: Alamy 4 Nisbet could replace Shankland at Tynecastle this coming season Credit: Kenny Ramsay Shankland's contract at Tynecastle is up and the Scotland cap is yet to decide what to do with his future, with reported interest from West Brom down south and from teams abroad. According to the Daily Record, Derek McInnes is considering a shock move for former Hibs and Aberdeen star Kevin Nisbet. The Scotland striker has returned to Millwall after his Dons loan spell came to a close. It's claimed that McInnes has been a fan of Nisbet's for some time and wouldn't say no to trying to lure him back to Edinburgh. McInnes said today that he's in constant discussion with Shankland and his agent over a new deal. But the new Hearts boss insists time is running out and that he wants a resolution soon. He told Sky Sports: "I'm in constant dialogue with Lawrence, spoke to his agents as well several times through the last few weeks but Lawrence has obviously got a lot to consider. "We think we're a really strong option for him, whether we're the best option in Lawrence's eyes we've got to wait and see but there'll come a point really that we need to draw a line under it and Lawrence has got to look at looking after him and I've got to look after Hearts. "Hopefully we can find a solution because he is a player that I think can really thrive with us at Hearts. "He's shown in the time here how important he is and you try and not let players like that leave the door without putting up the best fight you can and we're in the fight for him. FOUR to join Rangers before Champions League Plus Aarons impact on Tavernier REVEALED "I believe we're a really strong option for Lawrence, I believe we're the best option for him at this moment, he's got the World Cup to try and get involved in at the end of next season. 'There are loads of reasons why Lawrence could see this as a good option for him. "Hopefully as I say we're his best option and at the minute we're in the fight to keep him. "I always feel deadlines are not always healthy and sometimes can be a bit antagonistic but there's been enough conversations with Lawrence. "There'll come a point where he has to move on and try and secure his future and likewise I need to make sure that we secure our squad going forward but we're not at that stage yet. "But sooner rather than later really to try and get that resolved because I want clarity in what I'm dealing with and I'm sure Lawrence is wanting clarity on his future as well." 4 Nisbet celebrates scoring the winner for Hibs in a 2023 derby clash against Hearts Credit: Andrew Barr Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
