Hearts Set up Title Showdown With Celtic With Dominant Win Over Falkirk

League leaders Hearts defeated Falkirk 3-0 at Tynecastle on Wednesday night courtesy of goals from Frankie Kent, Cammy Devlin and Blair Spittal. The Scottish Premiership title race will now be decided on the final day when Celtic face Hearts in a massive title deciding clash on Saturday lunchtime. Falkirk thought they had the lead in the opening few minutes when Dylan Tait played a well timed ball down the byline to Calvin Miller who raced onto it, before he slotted the ball beyond Alexander Schwolow, but the 28 year old was deemed to be offside, denying his side an early goal. The visitors had made a fast start to the game and were applying some early pressure onto the Hearts back line. Hearts’ first chance of the game came when Lawrence Shankland had done well to earn his team a corner, Stuart Findlay rose highest to meet it, however his header went sailing over the crossbar. The Jambos would then test Nicky Hogarth in the Falkirk goal once more, Shankland picked the ball up on the edge of the box, however his effort was tame and comfortably gathered. News broke inside Tynecastle that Motherwell were ahead against Celtic at Fir Park, Hearts didn’t waste time in responding to that as they took the lead on the half hour mark. Constant Hearts pressure was rewarded with a corner, Alexandros Kyziridis sent a high delivery into the box, which was met by Frankie Kent whose powerful header flew past Nicky Hogarth to send Tynecastle into ruptures. Hearts had all the momentum and netted a quick-fire second goal just minutes after their first. Talisman, Lawrence Shankland collected the ball with his back to goal before attempting to find Claudio Braga, Falkirk were all over the place trying to clear the ball from danger, before the ball eventually broke kindly to Cammy Devlin inside the area with his effort deflecting into the back of the net to double the Jambos lead ten minutes before the interval. The final piece of action in the opening 45 minutes was for Falkirk, Calvin Miller drove into the Hearts box, firing a shot towards goal from a tight angle which forced Alexander Schwolow to react well and tip the ball over the crossbar, Sam Hart would then send a header wide from the resulting corner. Both sides made changes at half time, Stephen Kingsley was brought on to replace Harry Milne for Hearts. Whilst Falkirk brought on Ben Parkinson and Ross MacIver for Dylan Tait and Kyrell Wilson. Hearts almost had a third goal within the opening five minutes of the second half, Alexandros Kyziridis used his pace on the right hand side to initially provide a ball into the box for his teammates but instead it would deflect onto the crossbar leaving Nicky Hogarth scrambling. Derek McInnes’ side were in control of proceedings and restricting Falkirk to very little on the ball. The hosts threatened with Stephen Kingsley sending an inch perfect cross into the box for Shankland who headed narrowly wide. Falkirk had a rare sighting of goal with twenty-five minutes remaining, Ross MacIver managed to connect with a long ball into the box before Ben Broggio scuffed his effort into the side netting. After returning from injury and scoring a crucial goal in the first half, Cammy Devlin would then leave the field to a standing ovation from all four stands in Tynecastle with Jordi Altena taking his place. After relentless pressure throughout the entirety of the second half, Hearts added a vital third goal shortly before additional time. A free kick on the right was followed by some good link-up play allowing Blair Spittal to receive the ball before striking a low strike into the far bottom corner to all but secure victory in Gorgie. Hearts now travel to Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon knowing that a draw or a win would crown them champions for the first time since 1960. Whereas Falkirk host Danny Rohl’s Rangers on Saturday with a 12:30 kick off.

Meet Dedicated Dumbarton Youngster Who Travels 500 Miles Each Week to Play

500 miles. No, not The Proclaimers most well known anthem, but instead the distance Dumbarton U14s midfielder Leah Dunn travels each week for training and matches. Dunn, from Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute, plays for both Campbeltown Pupils Boys at home and Dumbarton Girls U14s, with 130 miles separating both towns. And her parents were more than happy to look into avenues far from home to help progress his daughters football career. Her father Kris said: “She’s [Leah] got dual registration, so she can play for the boy’s team. “She was part of the girl’s setup in Campbeltown, in a good wee team, but there’s no competitive football for them unfortunately in the rural areas. “So they can train, and they can go to a couple of festivals, but that is it unfortunately for the girls down there, so a lot of girls are being left behind. “So we got her into the boy’s team because there is actually a boys league, so they can play competitive football. But coinciding with that, Leah got picked up for the Scottish FA emerging talent.” Dad Kris and Mum Jen also play the role of driver, making the six-hour round trip twice a week. However, there was an occasion when daughter Leah FLEW into training! “So its 130 miles from Campbeltown to Dumbarton, so 260 mile round trip on a Wednesday and then 260 mile round trip on the Saturday night. “Two weeks ago, she actually flew up, flew up for her training! There’s actually a wee LoganAir flight that takes you from Campbeltown straight into Glasgow international, it’s quite funny!” And Leah herself is aiming higher than a LoganAir aircraft at peak altitude. “I’m 100% focused on becoming a pro footballer I want to become like my favourite footballers Caroline Weir who plays for Real Madrid and Leah Williamson who plays for Arsenal.” With Dumbarton now in the process of installing a synthetic pitch, all youth teams will soon be able to play and train at the iconic The Rock. Find Dumbarton’s website here: https://dumbartonfootballclub.com/ Find Campbeltown Pupils here: https://campbeltownpupils.co.uk/ And remember, if you have any local stories you want shared, send them to us on our socials!

Hearts v Falkirk – Match Preview

One of the biggest nights in Heart of Midlothian’s history awaits this evening, as a victory against Falkirk may crown them champions depending on the result at Fir Park. Hearts were victorious in the last meeting between these two sides. However, Falkirk have already had delight at Tynecastle in the Scottish Cup this season when they knocked the league leaders out on penalties in early January. Hearts have stayed at the top of the castle for majority of the season. And they could be given the grand prize this evening depending on the result between Motherwell and Celtic. Should Hearts get the job done against Falkirk, who have two wins in six, and Motherwell were to defeat Celtic, Hearts would win the league with one game remaining. However, if both teams gained three points, then it would go down to a final-day climax at Celtic Park. The Hoops would need three points for any hope in clinching the league trophy. The visitors would know that it would only take a point to be crowned champions. But if Falkirk were to hold Hearts level or defeat Derek McInnes’ side, and Celtic were to win at Fir Park. Then Hearts would have to go to the East End of Glasgow and win. Finally, if Hearts win this evening and Celtic draw, it would bring a big task for Martin O’ Neill’s side on the final day. Celtic would have to win by a large margin due to goal difference, which is plus three to Hearts as it stands. Hearts’ draw to Motherwell saw Celtic close the gap to just one point, as they defeated rivals Rangers 3-1. However, Tynecastle has been a cauldron this season. Hearts remain unbeaten in the league at their home ground and tonight could make it a season for the history books if results are to go their way. Speaking before tonight’s match, Lawrence Shankland said: “I think the level of belief and confidence we’ve got down there from the amount of games we’ve been winning, it’s hard to take that away when that feeling is there. “What we have done brilliantly is every time we’ve had a worse result than a win, we’ve always bounced back and won the next one. “It’s going to be important for us, obviously, in the next two as well, but I think showing that resilience through the season, you can get into the rhythm of winning games, and it’s hard to stop that.” Hearts will be without Marc Leonard and Craig Halkett after picking up injuries on Saturday’s visit to Motherwell. Hearts player to watch: Lawrence Shankland For the visitors, they have had a remarkable season, finishing in the top six in their return to the top-flight. Falkirk currently sit in sixth place, five points behind Hibs with two games remaining. Defeat to Hibs on Saturday, damaged their chances in pursuing European football. However, Hibs have Rangers and Motherwell to deal with before any hope in playing in the Conference League qualifiers depending on the Scottish Cup final result. Regardless, Falkirk have had a tremendous season so far and have the chance this evening to cause serious damage in Hearts’ push for the league title. Falkirk player to watch: Barney Stewart  

“Biggest test” await Motherwell as Celtic roll into Fir Park

Jens Berthel Askou trusts his team will show their “best side”  as they stand on the brink of European football for the first time since 2021. Speaking ahead of their final match at Fir Park against Celtic, the Dane anticipates a tough task against the Scottish Champions. “It’s obviously a team that is in a good place, the best place they’ve been for a long time. But also a team that suddenly has a lot to lose, which can maybe also affect the mental state of the game. “There will be momentum shifts in the game from start to finish, and we need to deal with that emotional state of the game as well.” Motherwell have regularly taken points off the top three sides this season, most recently, disrupting Hearts’ title challenge with a 1-1 draw on Saturday. “It’s something that has helped us, especially at Ibrox last time, also against Hearts the other day.” “I am confident it will also give us an advantage that we have practised that again, and again, and again when we played the big teams, to really try to be ourselves all the way through. “I trust the players that they will be able to show their best side, not only technically and physically but also mentally. “Obviously, it’s a combination of the mental part and then the tactical approach that they have to suit each other and enhance each other. “If we tell them not to take risks or show fear from the leadership perspective and don’t trust them or react very emotionally and frustrated when we don’t succeed, and still tell them to do it, then they’re going to be in a place where they get confused and insecure. “Obviously, when the big mistakes have been there – and they have been there – then it’s about considering them and addressing them as mistakes for growth. “That has been extremely important to keep looking at how to develop and how to use that going forward into making either better decisions or just improving the situations, the execution. “Time will tell over the last couple of games how far we’ve come, and especially [on Wednesday], which is probably the biggest test so far of them all.”