Homecoming Move: Hearts Bring Back Marc Leonard
Heart of Midlothian have added a familiar face to their squad after confirming the loan signing of Marc Leonard until the end of the season. The midfielder’s return to Tynecastle could be crucial, with injuries and suspensions affecting options in the middle of the park. Originally part of the club’s youth setup, Leonard left Scotland as a teenager to continue his development in England. A spell with Brighton’s academy helped shape his career before making his mark at Northampton Town. During his time there, he became a consistent starter, playing over 100 matches. Those performances eventually earned him a permanent move to Birmingham City. Opportunities have been harder to come by this season in the Championship, with most appearances coming from the bench. Experience north of the border should help him settle quickly, and there’s clearly motivation to prove a point back where it all started. Leonard spoke to Hearts media as part of his announcement, where he said, “Once I spoke to the manager. I knew that this was the place for me to come back” “I was over the moon, the conversation went really well and I’m so glad I’m here” He will be available against Celtic this weekend and is likely to make his first professional appearance in Maroon to cover the sparse midfield area.
Dons Boost Goalkeeping Options with Bråtviet Signing
Aberdeen add to their options between the sticks, confirming the signing of Norwegian keeper Per Kristian Bråtviet on an 18-month deal at Pittodrie. Aberdeen have needed a keeper of late, with first-choice keeper Dimitar Mitov not having the best of times of late as well as Aberdeen backup keeper Nick Suman suffering an ankle injury this week. The 29-year-old came through the ranks at boyhood side FK Haugesund, where he spent 5 years as first-choice keeper before departing for Swedish side Djurgården, where he made 37 appearances. The 6’2 keeper then moved to Nimes in France, only spending the one season, racking up 31 appearances for the French side before joining Vålerenga’s second team during the coronavirus season, only picking up two appearances. A move to Odds was up next, failing to get going with just 13 appearances for the Norwegian outfit. The Norwegian keeper then made a move to Strømsgodset, spending two years at the club, being a key aspect of the team, making 58 appearances across two seasons, before making his move to Scotland to join Aberdeen. Having sealed the deal, new signing Per said: “It feels really good to be here”, said Per. “When Aberdeen made contact it was an easy decision for me to make. I had finished my time in Norway, and I want to do something different, and Aberdeen is such a big club it felt like a great opportunity. “I’m to get to know the league and Scottish football in general. I’ve played in a lot of countries which have given me a lot of experience, but I am excited to call Aberdeen home now.” Aberdeen Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel said: “When we learned the extent of Nick’s injury, we moved quickly to sign Per Kristian, whose contract with Strømsgodset had come to an end last month. “He is an experienced goalkeeper, having played extensively across several strong leagues and clubs, and he also has senior international experience with Norway. “He will provide real competition within the goalkeeping department as we continue to strengthen the squad.”
Aberdeen sign Olusanya on loan from MLS side Houston Dynamo
Aberdeen have captured the loan signing of former St Mirren star, Toyosi Olusanya on loan until the end of the season Olusanya has made the move back to Scotland following time in America in Houston. Olusanya will boost the Aberdeen attacking options as the Pittodrie side have struggled in the final third this campaign. The English striker began his youth days at Reading before making the move into the Middlesbrough academy. AFC Wimbledon then snapped up the striker on loan but Toyosi failed to make an impact in London where he made the switch to non-league Billericay Town for a second loan spell scoring just once in eight game in the Covid season. The striker then made the move to Paisley joining St Mirren where the 28-year-old got off to a slow start for the Buddies. A move to Arbroath on loan came along struggling to make any impact at Gayfield. Upon his return to St Mirren, that’s where the Englishman kicked on scoring 7 in 42 games being a key player in Paisley. The following season, Olusanya netted 12 times in 38 games in which he made a big move to the MLS joining Houston Dynamo but has failed to find the net in 11 appearances. Toyosi spent the first half of this campaign on loan to English League One side, Doncaster Rovers featuring 11 times but leaving with 0 goals to his name. Olusanya has proven to enjoy a goal against Aberdeen during his days in Paisley netting on 4 occasions in 5 games against the Pittodrie side.
League Leaders, Loan Deals, and Late Winners: SPFL Matchday 23 Breakdown
After a short hiatus for the Scottish Cup, the Premiership returns this weekend. Here is what to watch for in Matchday 23. Game of the Round – Hearts v Celtic Tynecastle prepares for a massive showdown this Sunday as the league’s top two sides meet for the third time. With the title race heating up, a win for either side could provide a catalyst for the remainder of the season. Hearts have enjoyed back-to-back league victories over the Scottish champions, including an impressive away triumph in December. However, with Cammy Devlin, Beni Baningime, and captain Lawrence Shankland unavailable, injuries could pose problems for the Jambos. Manager Derek McInnes stated this week that it is not all “doom and gloom” for the leaders, with a healthy defence, and the attacking qualities of Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga, they could yet stretch their lead to nine points at the summit. Martin O’Neill will be the third Celtic manager this season to oppose Hearts, after predecessors Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy. O’Neill continued his unbeaten domestic record from his early-season interim stint, with victories over Dundee United, Falkirk, and Auchinleck Talbot. His side has also bolstered their attacking options by completing the loan signing of Czech striker Tomas Cvancara, and will fancy a crucial three points against a Hearts side whose spine has been ripped. Sunday afternoon should deliver another telling twist in this fascinating title race. Stay up to date with the game on SNN Sports with Mack Kelly. Player to Watch – Lyall Cameron Lyall Cameron’s arrival looked to be smart business from the Rangers board. The promising midfielder had just helped Dundee survive in the Scottish Premiership, with a crucial double at McDiarmid Park. But after crashing down the Ibrox pecking order with only six appearances, the 23-year-old has made a loan switch to join Aberdeen. His latest move got off to the perfect start, with a standout performance in the Scottish Cup against Raith Rovers. After his SPFL tribunal, the midfielder will be eager to secure regular game time in the North East. With a six-match winless run, Saturday’s visit of Livingston is crucial for the Dons, as they aim to edge closer to the top six. Cameron could play a key role in inspiring Aberdeen’s inconsistent season. Team in the Spotlight – Hibernian A 92nd-minute own goal by Miguel Chaiwa was enough to send Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline through to the Scottish Cup last 16. The late blunder knocked Hibernian out and left the travelling fans furious. After the passive performance, many supporters feel their season is already falling apart. Even though Hibs are 5th in the Scottish Premiership, the gap at the top is the real problem. Their city rivals are currently in first place, sitting 15 points clear. David Gray needs to find answers fast to save their season and continue their climb up the table. Things don’t get any easier from here. Hibs now face a tough trip to the Falkirk Stadium to take on a dangerous Bairns side. They have to bounce back from last Saturday’s disaster immediately. If they don’t get a result, pressure will continue to pile.
