Hearts v Motherwell – Match Preview
A massive match for both teams, as Hearts look to extend their lead at the top of the table against Motherwell, who haven’t won in four. It was a thriller the last time these two sides met at Tynecastle, the result ending 3-3. And that was just the start of what was going to be a fantastic season for both. Hearts have remained on top of the table for much of the season. However, their colossal lead at the top has been cut down to just one point with six games remaining. But Hearts have shown over the course of the league campaign that any setbacks will not phase them. And after last weekends draw with bottom of the table Livingston, which will feel like a defeat to the Hearts squad and support, it’s so important that three points are collected in the final fixture before the split. On a positive note for Hearts, they remain undefeated in the league at Tynecastle this season, which shows how much of an important factor the Hearts fans are in the race for their first league title in 66 years. Hearts player to watch: Lawrence Shankland For Motherwell, they have also had a remarkable season. Jens Berthel Askou has certainly changed Motherwell’s technical brand, as they have been playing some of the best football the country has seen in a long time. The Steelmen currently sit in fourth place, three points ahead of Hibs. And they have the chance to cause damage in Hearts’ title challenge on Saturday afternoon. Although Motherwell have only picked up one point in four matches, the quality on show throughout the season from Askou’s side expresses that they will be coming to Edinburgh in hope to get back to winning ways. Motherwell player to watch: Elijah Just
An impressive campaign for Falkirk can end up being a historical one
An incredible return to Scotland’s top flight for the Bairns as they are in the final four of the Scottish Cup, along with securing a spot in the top half split. John McGlynn has surpassed all expectations of him and his side from the start of the season. The newly promoted side has secured a top-half finish and is just two wins away from a Scottish Cup triumph. Stellar performances from the likes of Barney Stewart and Calvin Miller have been pivotal in Falkirk’s success so far this season. However, manager John McGlynn insists that their season is far from finished. “We’ve succeeded, but we’re not finished. We are professionals. We’ve got to go about our business in the right manner. We’ve got a semi-final a week tomorrow, we’re gearing up for that. We obviously are taking care of the game on Sunday against Rangers.” The Bairns’ final game pre-split is against a Rangers side in fine form; however, the Gers are yet to beat Falkirk this season, with the two teams sharing the points on two separate occasions. Falkirk post-split fixtures The Bairns can have a massive sway in the title chase between Hearts, Rangers and Celtic as they will face all three sides, with their final game being at home against Rangers. Celtic v Falkirk (25th April 5:30 pm) Falkirk v Motherwell (2nd May 3:00 pm) Falkirk v Hibernian (9th May 3:00 pm) Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk (13th May 8:00 pm) Falkirk v Rangers (16th May 12:30) But before Falkirk commence their post-split fixtures, they have a Scottish Cup semi-final date at Hampden, against Neil Lennon’s Championship side, Dunfermline Athletic, on Saturday, the 18th of April, 12:30 pm. A victory against the Pars will see Falkirk face off against either Celtic or Saint Mirren in the Scottish Cup final. Their last final appearance was back in 2015, in which they were runners-up to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Can Falkirk continue their impressive season and finish it with Scottish cup glory? Regardless of what happens in the closing stages of the 2025/26 campaign. It has been a brilliant season for John McGlynn and his Falkirk side. Have Your Say What do you think? Let us know in the comments or on social media @SNNsports.
“Tommy Was The Key Moment For Celtic to go Towards Better Things” – Rudi Vata on Burns’ Lasting Legacy at Parkhead
Former Celtic defender Rudi Vata says that the appointment of Tommy Burns as manager in 1994 was the moment the paradigm shifted in Scottish football. The Albanian was part of the squad under Burns’ that won the 1995 Scottish Cup, the first trophy Celtic had won in six years. And Vata believes that the blueprint left by Burns’ is what catapulted Celtic into their era of dominance. Speaking exclusively on SNN Sports Football Voices, he said: “Tommy was all about Celtic, he knew Celtic better than anybody else. “All he wanted was the ball on the ground, keep the ball, possession, and that was something that started to click with everybody. “Tommy was the key moment for Celtic to change that situation and go towards better things. I believe that was the key moment for Celtic.” Vata came to Glasgow in 1993 under Liam Brady and initially struggled for game time under Burns. However, he would eventually break into the team and become a key part of Burns’ system up until leaving for Apollon Limassol in 1996. “At the beginning, he didn’t like me because he had different ideas. “Later on you realise, every manager wants to have his own team and build it up with his own ideas with the players he thinks can become successful. “What I did, instead of complaining, and instead of crying about it, I went and hammered myself and after two or three months, Billy Stark [Burns’ assistant] asks me to see him [Burns] in his office and he says ‘you know you are going to play tomorrow night?’ “He didn’t like me and my skills, but he seen that I hadn’t given up. “Even after I left Celtic, he became Reading manager and wanted me to go sign for Reading.” Burns’ would lead Celtic to their first trophy in six years when they defeated Airdrieonians in the Scottish Cup Final in 1995 1-0. This made Vata the first Albanian to win a major trophy in Western Europe, an accomplishment Vata holds in the highest of regard. “I don’t know what kind of feeling it is to win the World Cup, but for me as an Albanian, I was the first Albanian ever to win a trophy in the Western world. “To be first for me was like paradise. “It maybe looks a small achievement now but in 1995, it was the whole world for me. “When we went to Celtic Park, the fans where out there because it was a fair distance that we didn’t win a trophy for.” The full episode of SNN Sports Football Voices with Rudi Vata is available NOW on Spotify and YouTube, where you can listen to extra Tommy Burns stories and much more. YouTube: https://youtu.be/awqZIiTy-w8?si=OxzRsVXIl68BtLeq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3JNxLaM28S0GBhLeej7h6C?si=7246f2682f0c4cfa
