Hearts in “Good Place” ahead of Celtic Visit – McInnes
Hearts host Celtic at Tynecastle this weekend, seeking to extend their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to eight points. Talking to the media on Wednesday, McInnes said his team “are facing the toughest challenge”. “Celtic always provide the toughest challenge, certainly in recent seasons, and it’s another test for us, but it’s a test that we are looking forward to.” “I think we are going into it in a good place, I think we feel ready, I think the supporters feel ready for it, Tynecastle will be ready for it.” Saturday’s three-nil victory over Kilmarnock was Hearts’ fifth straight league victory, and they are now unbeaten in 12 of 13 games since McInnes took over. “Regardless of what we have done previously in previous games, there are good references and some good performances up until now, but it doesn’t guarantee anything, The expectation around the Tynecastle side continues to grow, but for McInnes, “the expectation is on ourselves” “The season is still only eight games in, it’s very early, whether you’re in good form or in poorer form for any team, there’s still so much of the season ahead.” “The time to just judge the team is at the end of the season, not after eight games, but I do think people can see there is plenty of encouragement being given by what the players are giving, and it’s important we just keep trying to tap into that.” McInnes and Rodgers will meet in the dugout for the 23rd time; past meetings have included Scottish and League Cup finals. The Hearts manager was full of praise for his opposite number, “I’ve played against Brendan’s teams often enough, and he is such a top manager, a top operator, and Celtic are littered with top players, They spend the money on the squad they’ve got because and the demand, and they are such a good high-level of player, so we’ve got our work cut out on Sunday to get a result.” “I’m focusing on us trying to be the toughest opponent for them, and making sure our performance gives us a chance”
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Clinical Second Half Spell Seals Win for Gunners
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid Magalhães (57′) Martinelli (64′) Gyokeres (67′ , 70′) Arsenal bulldozed their way past Atletico Madrid to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League after a dominant second-half performance. In a goalless first half, David Raya almost gifted the visitors the lead in the 24th minute. After tussling with Giuliano Simeone at the corner flag, the resultant Julian Alvarez strike narrowly missed as the goalkeeper scampered back to his goal. Arsenal thought they had opened the scoring in the 35th minute, after Gabriel Martinelli bundled home Bukayo Saka’s sliding cross. Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s side, the Brazilian attacker was positioned offside in the build-up. The home side pulled away to a routine victory in the second half, after scoring four goals in 13 minutes to seal the win. Gabriel Magalhães powered home Declan Rice’s inswinging free kick in the 57th minute to open the scoring. Martinelli then made up for his offside goal in the 64th minute. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s clever pass allowed the Brazilian to advance into the box unmarked. He curled a delicate right-footed shot past the outstretched Jan Oblak for a superb second goal. Summer acquisition Viktor Gyokeres added two goals in three minutes to finish off the rout. He bundled home from inside the six-yard box after Eberechi Eze’s initial strike in the 67th minute. The Swede added the fourth shortly, prodding home another Rice set piece to the delight of the home faithful. The emphatic victory moves the Gunners into 3rd place in the Champions League table; they are yet to concede a goal in the competition, and look the real deal. They return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace. Arsenal: Raya, Timber (White 83′) Magalhães (Mosquera 72′) Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi (Nørgaard 83′) Rice, Saka, Eze (Nwaneri 73′) Martinelli, Gyokeres (Merino 83′) Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Hancko, Gimenez (Baena 63′) Le Normand, Llorente, Gonzalez (Ruggeri 63′) Kokę (Gallagher 63′) Barrios, Simeone (Griezmann 72′) Sorloth (Almada 72′) Alvarez
Arteta Praises “Outstanding” Simeone as Champions League Meeting Looms
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week, and the Gunners boss believes his opposite number’s “character and willingness would take him anywhere” as he approaches 14 years in charge of the Spanish giants. Speaking on Monday before the European tie, Arteta said he “looks up” to Simeone, “I think what he has done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he has done it, I think the identity that he has created to the club, to the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify, and that is because the manager is very much them.” Arsenal sit at the summit of the Premier League; their one-nil victory over Fulham on Saturday pushed them three points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City. Arteta was pleased with the “initiative” of defender William Saliba, after a photo spread on social media showing the Arsenal defender studying Atletico on the team coach: “Very pleased because I didn’t encourage it, so it came from them, and that’s the most powerful thing, that a game finishes, the job is done, but what is the next challenge?” “We know that it is going to be a really tough, so the earlier we start to think about it and prepare the better, so I love that initiative from the players, and it tells you how much they want it and how focused they are on what is next.” Simeone is approaching 14 years as Atletico’s head coach, thrashing Frankfurt 5-1 in their last Champions League outing. Arteta was full of praise for the manager’s longevity. “What is for me outstanding is his passion, I think for how long he has been in the game in the same club with the same players” “It is a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary well, I don’t know him personally but everything I’ve heard about him is that he is so good at doing that,” “What makes Simeone teams so difficult to play against -” the willingness to win, you can sense that in every single goal in every single yard they play,” “they have had quite a lot of talent throughout the years, that are very specific for their needs and where they want to play, and they are very good at exploiting those opportunities.” Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night at 8pm, seeking their third straight win in the Champions League.
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United: Red Devils Seal First Anfield Victory Since 2016
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United Gakpo (78′) Mbeumo (2′) Maguire (84′) A towering Harry Maguire header ended United’s nine-year wait for an Anfield victory, inflicting Liverpool’s fourth straight defeat. United snatched the lead within two minutes. Referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue despite Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister collapsing with a head injury after an accidental elbow from teammate Virgil van Dijk, leaving Mbeumo free to smash past Giorgi Mamardashvili. Cody Gakpo levelled proceedings 12 minutes from the final whistle. After a stramash in the penalty box, substitutes Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa linked, with the latter firing a low cross for Gakpo to finish. The equaliser galvanised Anfield; the home side looked set to take advantage of the momentum, but it was Amorim’s Reds who had the last laugh. United captain Bruno Fernandes lifted a brilliant volleyed pass to the back post in the 84th minute. Maguire rose to power across the stranded Mamardashvili. The monumental win lifts United two points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table. Arne Slot’s men are now four games without victory, sitting fourth in the table. The Anfield side travel to Frankfurt for a crucial Champions League tie on Wednesday, returning to league action on Saturday night against Brentford. United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Saturday night, looking to produce their third straight League win. Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Isak (Chiesa 72′) Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Ekitiké 62′) Salah (Frimpong 85′) Bradley (Wirtz 62′) Gakpo, Gravenberch (Jones 62′) Man Utd: Lammens, Dalot, De Ligt, Maguire, Mount (Šeško 61′) Fernandes (Mainoo 85′) Cunha, Amad (Dorgu 58′) Casemiro (Ugarte 58′) Mbeumo, Shaw (Yoro 85′)
Hibernian 4-0 Livingston: Gray’s Men Banish Derby Demons with Dominant Victory
Hibernian 4 – 0 Livingston Klidje (9′) McGrath (52′ pen) Hoilett (79′, 89′) A Thibault Klidje-inspired Hibs recorded their first home league win of the season against Livingston. Livingston won the first corner of the game, but it was Hibs who produced the first chance of the match. Kieron Bowie found Nicky Cadden in space on the left of the box, but the wingback blazed over. A stray pass allowed Josh Mulligan to unleash a deflected shot moments later, as Hibs continued their search for an opener. Klidje gave Hibs a deserved lead in the 10th minute. A smart touch allowed the attacker to race into the box from Daniel Barlaser’s pass. The record signing fired a right-footed strike into the roof of Jerome Prior’s net for a prolific finish. Klidje showcased electric pace in the 13th minute, rampaging onto a loose ball, but his shot lacked power as Prior easily gathered. Hibs boss David Gray had urged his side to deliver a “reaction” after the devastating Edinburgh derby defeat two weeks ago, and would have been pleased with his side’s intent on their return to Easter Road. The home side almost doubled their lead in the 20th minute. Warren O’Hora kept a corner alive at the back post, but Grant Hanley could not bundle home in the six-yard box. The visitors were forced into an early change moments later, as Blaney walked off to be replaced by Andy Winter. Stevie May led the line with some clever touches, helping his side gain territory on several occasions. Still, it was proving to be a difficult opening period for Davie Martindale’s team. Bowie threatened to add his fourth league goal of the season in the 23rd minute, connecting in the box with a right-footed volley which whistled past the post. Klidje continued to cause terror for the Livingston backline. Captain for the day, Danny Wilson misjudged a looping ball in the 34th minute, but the Togolese striker dragged wide from the acute angle. He dispossessed the Livingston defence again in the 38th minute, playing an incisive ball for Cadden in the box. Once more, the wing-back lacked the necessary composure and blazed over Prior’s goal. Connor McLennan had a chance to bring Livingston level after a corner kick routine, but his strike went high into the Famous Five Stand from May’s cutback. Despite holding a halftime lead, Gray would be keen for his side to add to their lead, with Hibs already losing four points from winning positions this season. Jamie McGrath has enjoyed a positive start to his Hibs career since a summer move from Aberdeen. His chest and volley from the edge of the box had to be tipped over by Prior. McGrath was involved again moments later, playing a reversed ball to Barlaser, whose left-footed strike was palmed away. Klidje was dragged down in the Livingston box in the 50th minute, as Hibs were awarded a penalty. McGrath made no mistake, rolling past Prior for a deserved second goal. May cleared Grant Hanley’s towering header off the line in the 53rd minute, as the home side continued to threaten. The Hibees have drawn five of their opening seven league matches, but looked set to record a league victory for the first time since August 2nd. There was a bite about the home side, regularly dispossessing a ragged Livingston side for much of the 90 minutes. Despite the dominance, an uncomfortable moment occurred in the 63rd minute, as a rare Livingston corner dropped in the six-yard box. Thankfully, for the home support, the ball was swiftly cleared. Robbie Muirhead produced a terrific 35-yard strike as the visitors looked to respond. Raphael Sallinger had to be alert to push the ball away. Junior Hoilett headed home in the 79th minute and sidefooted a fourth Hibs goal ten minutes later to banish any thought of a Livingston comeback. It had been a comfortable afternoon for the Leith side, who moved into 3rd place in the Scottish Premiership. They travel to Pittodrie next Sunday to face Aberdeen, whilst Livingston will look to bounce back against Motherwell the day before. Hibernian: Sallinger 7 O’Hora 7 Hanley 7 Iredale 7 C Cadden 7 Mulligan 7 Barlaser 7 McGrath 8 N Cadden 7 Bowie 7 Klidje 8 Substitutes: Boyle 7 Hoilett 7 Chaiwa 6 Campbell 5 Livingston: Prior 6 Finlayson 6 Sylla 6 Wilson 5 Blaney 5 Montgomery 6 Pittman 6 Susoho 6 McLennan 6 May 6 Bokila 5 Substitutes: Winter 6 Muirhead 5 Tait 5 Montano 5 Shinnie 5
Hibernian v Livingston Match Preview
Hibernian host Livingston at Easter Road on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership. Recent Form The Easter Road side will be fully focused on bouncing back from a frustrating 1-0 defeat to city rivals Hearts at Tynecastle before the international break. Craig Halkett’s stoppage-time winner meant Hibs tasted defeat for the first time this campaign. Before that, they had drawn their previous five games. A slow start to domestic proceedings has left the Leith outfit sitting seventh in the Premiership table, with eight points from seven matches. David Gray’s men have endured a difficult opening to their league run, with their only victory of the season so far coming on the opening day — a 2-1 win away to Dundee at Dens Park. On their return to the top flight, Livingston sit ninth in the Premiership, having picked up six points from eight matches. The West Lothian side have played a game more than their opponents this afternoon — registering one win, drawing three and losing four in their eight league encounters. Livingston have found themselves on the wrong end of stoppage-time defeats against Hearts, Dundee and Rangers this season. Before the international break, Livingston earned a 1-1 draw against Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United at Tannadice. Scott Pittman fired the visitors ahead in the first half before Dundee United centre-back Krisztián Keresztes levelled matters in the second. Previous Meetings The two sides also met in the Premier Sports Cup round of 16 back in August at the Home of the Set Fare Arena. Hibs ran out convincing 2-0 winners on the day, courtesy of goals from Thibault Klidjé and Josh Mulligan. Team News David Gray is expected to have a fully fit squad, except midfielders Alasana Manneh and Joe Newell. Miguel Chaiwa and Elie Youan will return from their respective injuries. Joe Newell is edging closer to a return following a long-term layoff; however, this game will come too soon for the 32-year-old. Livingston are hopeful of registering Curaçao international Joshua Brenet in time for this one. The full-back joined the club as a free agent. Meanwhile, Cristian Montano, Cammy Kerr and Aidan Denholm are all close to returning to action.
Gray “Looking for Reaction” as Hibs Face Livingston
After a last-minute derby defeat two weeks ago, David Gray has urged his side to “hit the ground running” after the latest international break. Speaking on Hibernian’s YouTube Channel, Gray admits that the break was “a bit of a reset” and acknowledges that Saturday’s opponents will be a test for his squad. “The way Davie’s set his team up this season, they’re playing a lot of good stuff, they’re going to be difficult to beat as they always are, but we need to focus on what we can do:” “I’m looking for a reaction clearly, because of what happened in the last game, the amount of time we’ve had to wait to get back on the pitch, but as I’ve said, it’s probably come at a good time from that point of view.” Gray confirmed that Alasana Manneh is the only player out injured, acknowledging that he has “a lot of players to pick from”. Hibs fans will be encouraged by the progress of Joe Newell, the injured club captain hasn’t played since December 2024, but continues to show positive signs. “Joe Newell trained again for the last week, a little bit stop-start with the birth of his son, which is brilliant for him and his family, but again really pleasing to see him back in amongst the group” “he’s still got a lot of work to do because he’s been out for such a long time.” Hibernian sit 7th in the Scottish Premiership, drawing five of their opening seven league matches. Gray’s side will be eager to attain their first home victory of the season, banishing the derby disappointment.
Askou and Motherwell “Focusing on the next job” as League Cup Semi Final Looms
An exciting few weeks await Motherwell, but for manager Jens Berthel Askou, “It’s about Falkirk, first and foremost”. The Steelmen suffered a heartbreaking defeat to champions Celtic before the international break. But despite recording their first league defeat of the campaign, Askou saw the positives from their spirited performance. “Gutted that we went home from Parkhead with no points, but I think the performance and our approach to the game gives us some really good confidence as to how to beat them when we play them next time” “But also it shows that we are capable of being for most of the part successful with our approach against the best team in the league, and then it’s small decisive moments that tips it to their favour and we know exactly it’s easy to see where we need to just improve a little bit, not hugely, but a little bit.” Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ brace put the visitors ahead after Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half penalty, but goals from Benjamin Nygren, and a last-minute Daizen Maeda header ensured Motherwell would leave with nothing. Askou referenced the impact of Stamatelopoulos, who now has three goals in two league matches, “It was a great first goal he scored, for me it’s important that if you have a confident line and you want him to score many goals, he needs to be a good penalty taker as well, he scored two out of two, it grows confidence …… and hopefully he will score more goals in time”. Motherwell face St Mirren at Hampden in 16 days for a place in the League Cup Final. The Fir Park side finished top of Group G, before away victories against St Johnstone and Aberdeen, to secure the tie. For Askou, the semi-final is ”not the focus right now”, “We have almost sold 7,000 tickets, which is fantastic, and we will probably sell quite a few more, which is amazing, so a lot of people are looking forward to that.” “We are focusing on the next job that’s on Saturday, obviously, we know it is in the calendar, we are not spending much energy on that now.” Motherwell host Falkirk at Fir Park on Saturday, October 18th, before matches against Livingston and Dundee United, respectively.
Aberdeen Manager Jimmy Thelin in Frame for National Job
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is one of the names on the list to take over the Swedish National Team following the departure of head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. Jimmy took over the Scottish side last summer, where he took the Dons to Scottish Cup success over Celtic after a 1-1 draw and a penalty victory at the National Stadium. Thelin took Aberdeen on the impressive 11-game unbeaten run, going toe-to-toe with Celtic at the beginning of the last campaign despite the fall off in performances in the winter period. Thelin has also had some big results during his time with a famous win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Pittodrie, as well as wins over rivals, Rangers. Jimmy had racked up an average of 1.52 points per game in his 62 games at Pittodrie so far as he made a statement in his time for far in the Granite City. However, this season Jimmy hasn’t had an amazing season, only having one win on the board this campaign, with the win coming over Dundee last week. The Dons sit rock bottom, but momentum could be set to build following the win at Pittodrie last weekend. The Dons are currently in the UEFA Conference League following FCSB dumping the Dons out of the Europa League. The Dons will also miss out on a spot in the League Cup Semifinals with Motherwell knocking the Red Army out.
Hearts Scoop September Accolades after Impressive Showings
Derek McInnes has been named Manager of the Month for September as his positive tenure continues at Tynecastle. Victories over Rangers and Falkirk consolidated The Jambos’ position at the top of the league, remaining unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership. They recently edged the first Edinburgh Derby of the season to move onto 19 points, two ahead of nearest challengers Celtic. McInnes said, “I love it here, it been a long time for me coming here, I always thought this was a job that I wanted to be at, I’m working with some good people, Graeme Jones and the board, but the players have been first class, in terms of their efforts day in day out, and I think for us we feel that we can be successful here,”. Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis picked up personal accolades, as Hearts swept all of the September awards. Shankland won the player of the month, scoring three goals in two games, including a crucial brace against Rangers. The captain scored in each half, firing Hearts to their first victory over Rangers in 19 attempts, and their first Ibrox triumph since 2014. He also drilled a low strike under Scott Bain two weeks later, as part of a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Falkirk. Kyziridis is turning into a fan favourite in Gorgie and has started Hearts’ last three league matches since his injury-time winner over Livingston. He scooped up the September goal of the month award for a stunning strike against Falkirk. The Greek winger cut in off the left, beating several Falkirk bodies before unleashing an arrowing right-footed strike into the top corner. It was a strike worthy of winning goal of the season, and opened the scoring for McInnes’ men. The Jambos return to league action on Saturday evening, travelling to East Ayrshire to face Kilmarnock. Eight days later, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic visit Tynecastle in a potential top-of-the-table clash.
