McInnes urges Hearts to seize opportunity ahead of Tynecastle return
Hearts return to home action on Wednesday evening, looking to break a three-match winless run in the Scottish Premiership against 10th-place Kilmarnock. Speaking with HeartsTV after Saturday’s goalless draw at Fir Park, Derek McInnes hopes his side can “ask the question” of their next opponents. “I want us to try and be a bit more of what we were in terms of being more confident about our work, a bit more belief about our work and a bit more aggressive in our work, even with the two strikers on at the end, the refusal to play up to Kabore and Shankland, and ask the question a bit earlier.” The 0-0 draw left the league leaders 5 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, until nearest challengers Celtic closed that gap to two points the following afternoon at Easter Road. “We kept going round the houses, got ourselves bogged down, so we need to try and engage with strikers, play forward more, and hopefully get our just rewards, and Wednesday night gives us an opportunity – as it always is.” Hearts are unbeaten in 13 of 14 Premiership games, and are the top goalscorers domestically. That included a comprehensive 3-0 victory at BBSP Rugby Park against Wednesday’s opponents, Kilmarnock, “We take the positives from the day to take a point, it’s another point, which on the road is decent shooting. But as long as you take care of your home games, and hopefully we can do that on Wednesday.” Victory at Tynecastle would set up a clash with Celtic on Sunday afternoon, the table toppers will be keen to extend their impressive start to the league season before that tantalising trip to the east end of Glasgow.
Danny Rohl: “We need players that understand what it means to play for Rangers”
Danny Rohl wants to add players in the January transfer who understand what it means to play for Rangers. The Light Blues failed to make it five league wins in a row after drawing with Falkirk at the weekend. It’s been a chaotic couple of months for the Ibrox club as they sacked former head coach Russell Martin, chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell. Oliver Antman is going to be out for eight weeks with an abductor problem and Nasser Djiga and Ousmane Diomande are expected to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations later this month. Before the Gers’ away fixture against Dundee United tomorrow, Rohl confirmed that he’s having regular discussions with chairman Andrew Cavenagh: “In general, I’m in a conversation with Andrew nearly every two or three days. “I think this is crucial. He will be also in, in the next couple of days, so we will have the next meetings. “I give my feedback every day or every matchday back to him. What I see is not just about positions, also what is important for us as a group – which profiles we need. “From the skills, from the tools, from a specialist in some areas, I think this is crucial. “It’s not just about the physical speed, it’s also the mindset, how quick is the mind at the moment, how quick you can receive the ball, how quick you can accelerate our game. “I think we need players that have a natural aggressivity against the ball, this is also crucial for me. “And we need players that also understand what it means to play for Rangers. This is also what I feel and learn in the last weeks, which players can handle this environment and which players have to improve. “We have to make the right decisions. This is crucial. We have a big responsibility for us, for the club. “I have a big responsibility now, after we lost Kevin and Patrick. I think this gives me more influence. “Hopefully we make a good step forward. The key is that we are on one page, that it is very clear how we see things and now it’s about preparing everything and have a good shot at the target.” The 36-year-old was asked if players will need to leave before some are brought in. He said: “You need a squad that is not too big but big enough so you can double up positions with good competition. I think this is crucial. “If I say now (we’re signing) five and bring four in, then you will ask me, why just four? “Key is that you bring the right players. If it’s at the end, two or three who can really make an impact, then it’s a good step. “If it’s six, because we could get six out, then it’s also good. “But for me, it’s more about the quality of players instead of the numbers of players.”
Rangers legend believes Danny Rohl knows who to oust in January window
Rangers failed to make it five league wins in a row as they drew 0-0 with Falkirk at Ibrox at the weekend. Many of the players that were brought in during the summer transfer window have failed to deliver, one in particular being big money signing Youssef Chermiti who has only managed to bag one goal in 14 appearances since joining the Light Blues. After the draw against the Bairns, Danny Rohl said he has a clear ‘overview’ of what he needs to do in the January transfer window. The Gers are on the look out for a new chief executive and sporting director after sacking Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell last week. Speaking on The Go Radio Football show, Ibrox legend Barry Ferguson believes Rohl knows exactly who he will be looking to offload from the club next month: “He now knows that there are players he want and players that are going to be surplus. “It’s just about who they are and how much money is going to be available in January. “Certainly the squad needs strengthening. If you don’t produce at these big clubs, you are not going to be part of it. “He has obviously spent time assessing them and just listening to the first part of his interview, there is a bit of frustration in there. “There is nothing he can do until the 1st of January but I am sure he has already identified areas that he wants to strengthen. Hopefully he’ll get the backing to bring those players in. “The chairman and owner have made some massive decisions in the last five weeks. They want to put the wrongs right and hopefully this is the start of it.”
