Late Spittal Strike Seals Derby Victory for Hearts

Hearts secured a dramatic and potentially decisive 2–1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road in a fiercely contested Edinburgh Derby on Sunday afternoon, strengthening their grip on the Scottish Premiership title race. The match began at a relentless pace, with Hibernian striking first through Martin Boyle, who gave the home side an early lead. However, the game turned sharply just 14 minutes in when Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area, leaving the hosts with only ten men. Despite their disadvantage, Hibernian held onto their lead through to half-time. Their defensive effort was further tested early in the second half when Felix Passlack received a second yellow card, reducing Hibs to nine players and setting the stage for sustained Hearts pressure. Hearts struggled initially to break down a determined Hibernian defence but gradually began to assert control. Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute when the equaliser arrived via a deflection, officially recorded as an own goal by Warren O’Hora, following a cross in by Sabah Kerjota. Hearts continued to press for a winner. The decisive moment came in the 86th minute when Blair Spittal found the net, completing a crucial turnaround for the visitors. The result sees Hearts move clear at the top of the table, capitalising on title challengers Rangers’ defeat earlier in the day and maintaining their advantage over Celtic. For Hibernian, the defeat was a bitter blow, particularly given their early lead and determined performance despite being reduced to nine men. Hibernian: Sallinger (3), O’Hora (5), Bushiri (6), Obita (6), Passlack (4), Barlasser (5), Chaiwa (4), N. Cadden (3), McGrath (6), Boyle (6), Elding (5) Substitutions: Smith (5), Megwa (4), Newell (4), Campbell (5), Suto (4), Hearts: Schwolow (7), Findlay (8), Halkett (8), Steinwender (7), Kingsley (8), Baningime (7), Leonard (8), Altena (7), Braga (7), Kabore (7), Shankland (8) Substitutions: Kerjota (8), Spittal (8), Kyziridis (7), McCart (4), Chesnokov (4)

Coventry City’s Remarkable Return to the Premier League, 25 Years in the Making

Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues were crowned EFL Championship Champions and are finally back in England’s Top Flight. Coventry City thrashed Portsmouth 5-1 last week, etching their name onto the EFL Championship trophy, later lifting it after defeating Wrexham 3-1 on Sunday in front of thirty thousand Sky Blue fans. Administration, relegation down to England’s fourth tier for the first time in their history, losing their home stadium on two separate occasions, leading to ground sharing with Northampton Town and Birmingham City, Coventry City fans have seen and followed their club through its darkest period. That unwavering support has all been worth it, as now, after two and a half decades, Coventry City are in the Premier League once more. Super Frank Lampard After the departure of the beloved Mark Robbins back in late 2024, who led the Sky Blues from League Two, all the way to the championship and was just one win away from promotion to England’s top flight, but ultimately lost to Luton in the play-off final. Robins also won the EFL trophy in 2017 and came to a whisker of reaching the FA Cup final in the 2023/24 season, losing on penalties again at Wembley to Manchester United. The appointment of Frank Lampard wasn’t many fans’ first choice; however, since his arrival, Lampard took a 17th-place Coventry side all the way to the playoffs, narrowly losing at the death to eventual winners Sunderland. But this season, Lampard’s men started brilliantly and never looked back, going on a 12-game unbeaten run to cement their spot at the top of the table. This season’s success has also revitalised Lampard’s managerial career. The former Chelsea player and manager now has another opportunity to manage at the top level of English football, following his sacking from Everton midway through the 2022/23 campaign. Perhaps his experience in the Championship has contributed to his managerial development. After a short wobble of form in January, Frank Onyenka arrived from Brentford to reinforce a struggling Coventry midfield. His impact was felt immediately as the Nigerian international put in a stellar performance in his Sky Blue debut in a 3-1 victory against fellow promotion rivals Middlesbrough in February. Onyenka has been a mainstay in Coventry’s midfield ever since and has been a key component in the Sky Blues securing promotion. Looking Ahead to the Premier League Since Doug King fully took over Coventry City from SISU in January of 2023, King has continually bolstered Coventry’s squad, window upon window, spending a total of £63 million, but it is important to note that the sales of Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres did help. King’s goal of getting his club to the big time has finally come to fruition. King will once again open the chequebook to prepare Frank Lampard for the Premier League. Loanees Carl Rushworth from Brighton and Frank Onyenka from Brentford are two purchases King should immediately make, as the pair have been immense in their time at the CBS Arena so far. Current players such as Haji Wright, Jack Rudoni and fullback Milan Van-Ewijk are expected to make the jump to Premier League level, as they have been continuously linked with a move to the Premier League and some of Europe’s top leagues over the past few windows. Following a transfer model, such as Sunderland’s last summer, is something the newly promoted Coventry should aim to follow. A trip down to Vicarage Road to Face Watford this coming Saturday will be Coventry City’s final Championship game before jumping up to the Premier League. An away day set to be full of celebrations from fans and players, as they round off a fantastic season.

Would the SFA replace Steve Clarke with Russell Martin?

Scotland are about to take part in their first World Cup in 28 years.  It was the iconic 4-2 victory against Denmark that sent sealed qualification for the Scots where Scott McTominay scored a breathtaking overhead kick and Kenny McLean found the back of the net from the halfway line. Preparation hasn’t gone to plan for Steve Clarke’s men as they lost to Japan and Ivory Coast last month. Clarke’s future is uncertain as his contract is up after the World Cup and it’s got many thinking who would be his replacement? Derek McInnes is flying at Hearts and is on the cusp of making history and potentially winning the Scottish Premiership title, would he want to leave the Jam Tarts at this point when he’s building something special? Alex Neil is flying at Millwall and could be a Premier League manager again next season, would he want to leave that for the Scotland gig? John McGlynn would be a great shout to replace Clarke, but would the SFA do that? That’s too sensible for them. I’m not saying I want this to happen – not in the slightest, but it would not shock me if the powers that be appointed Russell Martin. Firstly, he already has a good relationship with the SFA. Secondly, he’s a former Scotland international. Thirdly, he’s charming, talks a good game and has the ability to win them over by his word salad hipster powerpoint presentations. It’s quite a wild card prediction but it’s something the SFA would do. Let’s hope they have some sense and don’t go down that road by appointing the worst manager in Rangers’ history