‘To lose a goal from a set play with two minutes to go is pretty galling’ – McInnes

Hearts boss Derek McInnes believes his side’s refusal to “play forward” contributed to their third league defeat of the season, leaving an opportunity for Celtic and Rangers to close the gap to three points. Speaking at full-time, McInnes accepts that the first-half dismissal of Craig Halkett gave his side an immediate uphill battle. ‘I thought we caused our own problems. I think it is the third time in four games we’ve gone down to 10 men, which gives us a mountain to climb. ‘We were guilty of putting ourselves in a bit of a fankle, in a bit of a state, to cause the red card ‘We had two opportunities to play forward, and we refused to do it, and we ended up getting caught on it unnecessarily, so we’ve got to accept that part of it. ‘No complaints about the red card, and then you’ve got to try and do all you can. Everybody has to work a bit harder, we’re working harder in the dugout, just to try and give the lads a chance to stay in the game, and we almost did it.’ Miguel Freckleton’s 88th-minute winner seals St Mirren’s first league victory in seven games. McInnes believes his side could have dealt with the set piece in a better manner. ‘To lose a goal from a set play with two minutes to go is pretty galling, but again, we should still deal with that. ‘We can’t have a free header there in the middle of our goal, and it’s harsh because I thought we put so much on it. I don’t think anybody could have denied that the effort we put in, we could have earned a point tonight.’ The manager reckons his side’s inability to play forward in the first half contributed to the defeat, ‘We need to be able to run forward and play forward, and we got to the top of the league with a lot of characteristics, of being that team, and I felt tonight, we were guilty of not playing forward in that early part of the game. ‘The distances between my last centre-half and their centre half was about 30 yards. The grass was all behind them; we needed more runs from the forward line, and we needed more passes into space to make them think twice about coming after us. The distances then become tighter and tighter, and you need to be really on point to break press. We broke their press a few times, and we got out, and we play alright. But we were guilty of that, and it ended up causing a red card, which makes the game so much more challenging for us.’ Hearts return to Premiership action next Tuesday, in the third Edinburgh Derby of the season at Tynecastle

Transitions, Sporting Directors, and Premier League Loans: SPFL Breakdown Round 25

An intriguing midweek slate of Scottish Premiership football awaits. Here is what to watch out for across the next two days. Game of the Round – Aberdeen v Celtic The Scottish Champions travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday knowing there is little margin for error in an increasingly tense title race. Martin O’Neill’s second interim spell of the season has brought stability, with his side unbeaten in seven matches and securing a place in the Europa League knockout stage after a dominant win over Dutch side Utrecht. Bolstered by deadline‑day additions, striker Junior Adamu, winger Joel Mvuka, and centre‑back Benjamin Arthur, O’Neill will hope he has the tools to deliver a fifth consecutive league title. Aberdeen await, in far less convincing form. Saturday’s 3–0 defeat at Rugby Park has only deepened the uncertainty surrounding the club. Nearly a month has passed since Jimmy Thelin’s dismissal, yet the managerial search, led by sporting director Lutz Pfattinstiel, has still not produced a successor. Sitting five points adrift of the top six, time is running out for the Dons to salvage their season. With both teams navigating transitional periods, this Scottish Cup final rematch promises to be a fascinating encounter. Manager Spotlight – Marvin Bartley The former Queen of the South manager has taken over Davie Martindale’s long-term position at the Livingston helm, and faces the almighty task of halting a 24-match winless run. Sitting six points adrift at the foot of the table, points will be precious for the Lions, and Wednesday’s encounter against Falkirk may offer the best chance of ending the rut. Livingston’s sole victory this season was a 3-1 home win against the Bairns. The two sides produced a gripping championship title battle last season. Bartley will hope that his side can continue their nine-match unbeaten run against John McGlynn’s side, potentially springing them back into contention for survival. Player to Watch – Kai Andrews Hibs steadied a difficult two‑week run with a strong home performance against Rangers. Martin Boyle and Elie Youan both passed up golden opportunities, and David Gray will feel his side merited more than a single point. One of the standout performers on Sunday was Coventry loanee Kai Andrews. The midfielder, who previously featured for Motherwell, delivered an assured display after being introduced in the 10th minute for the injured Miguel Chaiwa. At just 19, he showed maturity beyond his years, going toe‑to‑toe with the likes of Nicolas Raskin and Thelo Aasgaard. Speaking at full‑time, Andrews expressed hope that a positive spell at Easter Road can strengthen his international prospects with Wales and potentially earn him a Premier League opportunity with high‑flying Coventry. Gray remains without midfield maestro Josh Mulligan, and with Dundee United visiting Easter Road, the manager may again turn to Andrews following his impressive debut outing. Hibs’ season hangs in the balance; they will need to chase down 4th-place Motherwell to have any chance of achieving back-to-back European campaigns. Could Andrews be the catalyst for the Hibees this season?

Hearts Youngster Wilson set for Premier League Move

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to take James Wilson on loan from Hearts till the end of the season, with an option to buy. The 18-year-old managed six goals in thirty-three appearances last season, but has fallen down the pecking order under Derek McInnes, featuring just six times. Arsenal were reported to offer similar interest, offering a trial for the youngster, but Hearts have instead opted for Wilson to join Thomas Frank’s side. The Premier League interest took McInnes by surprise, he told Sky Sports Scotland earlier this week. “He’s been restricted with minutes this season. It’s tough to get into the first team at this age,” “Would we see the benefit of a loan? Yes, to get some minutes. But this one was a wee bit left-field.”

Title Challengers, Midfield Replacements, and Winless Runs: SPFL Matchday 24 Breakdown

As the Scottish Premiership season ticks towards February, let’s break down the latest round of fixtures. Game of the Round – Hibernian v Rangers Eight straight league victories have propelled Rangers into second place, and despite a 3-1 defeat in Porto, optimism remains high on the blue side of Glasgow. Danny Rohl, who secured his first away win at the Ibrox helm on a cold October night at Easter Road, now looks to Sunday’s return fixture to edge closer to the high-flying Jambos. The January arrivals of Andreas Skov Olsen, Tochi Chukwuani, and Tuur Rommens have fueled the belief that a first Premiership title since 2021 is within reach, setting the stage for an electrifying few months. In contrast, Hibernian are reeling from a dismal end to January; after a Scottish Cup exit at the hands of former boss Neil Lennon, they were soundly beaten 4-1 by an invigorated Falkirk. With top scorer Kieron Bowie reportedly nearing a £6 million move to Hellas Verona, David Gray needs a mammoth performance from his side to claim their first win over Rangers since 2016. As Easter Road prepares for Sunday’s clash, the question is whether Rangers will stretch their winning run to nine games or if Hibs can ease the mounting pressure on their manager. Player to Watch – Marc Leonard The Birmingham midfielder joined Derek McInnes’s side just days before Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Celtic, signing a loan deal until the end of the season that could see the former Hearts youngster become a vital part of their title charge. With Cammy Devlin sidelined by injury, Leonard appears to be an ideal replacement for the influential Australian; despite some early nerves on his debut, he grew into the game by showcasing an impressive passing range and a relentless work rate against the Celtic midfield. Having proven he is up for the fight, Leonard will likely keep his place for Saturday’s trip to Tannadice, where another positive performance could help Hearts extend their lead at the summit to seven points. Team Spotlight – Kilmarnock Neil McCann’s appointment at Rugby Park came as a surprise to many, marking his return to the dugout for the first time in over five years. His tenure has seen mixed results so far; after battling to a draw against Livingston, Kilmarnock suffered a disappointing Scottish Cup exit followed by a heavy defeat to an in-form Motherwell. Now precariously sitting in 11th place, McCann’s side must rely on their home form to survive, and a clash with an inconsistent Aberdeen side this Saturday offers a prime opportunity to kick-start his Ayrshire reign. With the 4-0 loss at Fir Park stretching Killie’s winless run to 16 matches, all eyes are on whether they can finally end their horror streak this weekend.

Porto 3-1 Rangers: First Half Flurry Powers Portuguese Giants Past Gers

Porto 3-1 Rangers Mora (27′)  Moura (36′)  Fernandez (41′ og)  Gassama (6′) Porto consigned Rangers to their sixth Europa League defeat of the season at the Estádio do Dragão, as Danny Rohl’s side pivots toward a looming three-horse title race. Djeidi Gassama gave the visitors an early lead courtesy of a slick team move. James Tavernier slid the ball to Findlay Curtis on the right after nipping in front of a Porto body. Gassama headed the winger’s backpost cross into the ground, and across Diogo Costa, giving Rohl’s side the advantage. After stretching their winning run to eight games on Sunday, the Gers looked full of confidence, but the hosts seized control, delivering a devastating 14-minute spell. A deserved equaliser arrived in the 27th minute, after teenage sensation Rodrigo Mora slid past Jack Butland. The Rangers goalkeeper then collided with James Tavernier in the box nine minutes later, allowing Francisco Moura to roll home. The third blow was administered on the stroke of halftime, after Emmanuel Fernandez headed into his own net from a Porto corner. Rangers’ run of five consecutive clean sheets had come to a grinding halt. Victory pushed the Portuguese side into the Europa League top eight, progressing automatically to the last 16. Rangers’ elimination was previously confirmed; Easter Road awaits the Glasgow giants on Sunday afternoon. Porto: D Costa, A Costa (Fernandez 61′) Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura, Froholdt (Rosario 68′) Varela, Mora (Veiga 81′) Gomes, Samu (Gul 68′) Pepe (Sainz 61′) Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Tavernier, Fernandez (Antman 58′) Djiga, Meghoma (Souttar 46′) Raskin, Diomande, Curtis (Moore 70′) Gassama (Miovski 58′), Chermiti (Aasgaard 70′)

Livingston to receive six figure boost after Yengi loan deal

Tete Yengi is poised to join Japanese side FC Machida Zelvia, after the West Lothian side received a six-figure loan fee for the Australian striker. He joins the J1 side on loan, and the deal includes an option to buy this summer. The side will kickstart their domestic campaign against Yokohama on February 6th. Livingston manager Davie Martindale praised the “fantastic value” of the move, “I am really excited to see Tete’s growth. I feel the player that walked in our building 2 years ago has now become a much better footballer and an even better person, and we have been a great fit for one another. “He leaves the club on a temporary loan, with all of our best wishes.” “This is a fantastic piece of business for the club, and it’s important that we try to balance the books as best we can. “As a club, we need to be progressing towards sustainability, which has proved very hard the last few years, but player trading will become a huge part of our business model moving forward.”

“I felt our performance was shocking….” – SNN Sports Fan View

Another thrilling weekend of Scottish Premiership saw Aberdeen dismantle Livingston, Hearts come back twice against Celtic, and Rangers move closer to the summit. We asked SNN viewers for their opinion on the latest round of fixtures.   Hearts 2-2 Celtic – “McInnes will take plenty of positives” “Hearts did well to dig out a result after a poor first half. To go behind twice and equalise late on through Claudio Braga shows the characteristics of a potential title-winning side. Digging in deep and having that belief to still get something out of the game. McInnes will take plenty of positives from that second half going into the Dundee United game.” Matthew – Hearts Fan   Rangers 3-0 Dundee – “We can find a way to win without being impressive” “I felt our performance was shocking; we lacked urgency and fluidity in the final third for most of the game. Dundee were smart in how they slowed the game down and frustrated us. The lift once the crowd knew Hearts and Celtic had finished 2-2. In terms of the season, it’s hard to predict because we do need another signing, but there have been quality additions, and if they settle, I think we’re well-positioned to keep pushing ahead. The aim is the title now, which is exciting.” Taylor – Rangers Fan   Aberdeen 6-2 Livingston – “Best we’ve played all season” “First time I have seen us utilise Keskinen properly – 100% helped with Mitchel Frame’s performance, we used the wings and actually played balls into the box, which benefited us massively. It’s clear [Peter Leven] is a brilliant coach, but I’d like to see someone else brought in from a different league to steady the ship” Ronnie – Aberdeen Fan   Motherwell 4-0 Kilmarnock – “Great Performance” “An excellent performance by Motherwell. The momentum was clearly set from the beginning, despite an early chopped off goal for Kilmarnock. Two fantastic finishes by Elijah Just and Maswanhise, respectively. Great performance Scott – Motherwell Fan

Scotland to face AFCON Quarter Finalists as World Cup preparations take shape

Scotland will face Côte d’Ivoire in a friendly at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Steve Clarke expects a “stern test” from the Elephants. The friendly is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31st (7:30 pm kick-off), and will be the first meeting between the international sides. Scotland will travel to Merseyside three days after hosting Japan at Hampden, and with one overseas friendly to be announced, the preparations are taking shape for Clarke’s team. Speaking on the Scotland National Team website, Clarke said: “We’re pleased to confirm Côte d’Ivoire as our second opponents for the March international window, following on from Japan’s visit to Glasgow. “We wanted to face African opposition before we play Morocco in the summer, and I’m sure Côte d’Ivoire will give us a really stern test. “It will also be good to play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. The supporters will enjoy the opportunity to visit the new stadium.”

“The players have drawn a line under it” – McGregor reflects on chaotic season

Callum McGregor suggests that Wilfried Nancy’s decision to change “too much too soon” was a deciding factor in the Frenchman’s disastrous reign. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s table-topping clash at Tynecastle, the Celtic captain thinks the “big change” was overwhelming for the squad. “To go from a team that is super aggressive on the front foot for 10 plus years, playing a certain way and then you bring in the nuance of the league and playing in Scotland, my belief is that you get as much pressure on the ball as much as you can and try and press the game as high as you can and actually eliminates a lot of the defending that you have to do in terms of box defending. “Not to say that it can’t work, but I think everybody is well aware of the time and no pre-season and so many games, so many important games. “Really, really tough situation to come in and have a game every three days where you’re almost learning in the game, and we all know that trying to learn in this environment is probably the harshest environment that you can have.” Nancy’s 33-day tenure was defined by a League Cup Final loss to St Mirren and damaging home defeats to Rangers and Hearts. A return of just two wins from eight games is dismal for a club of Celtic’s stature; as toxicity mounted, the board moved prematurely to sack the former Columbus Crew boss. Central to his struggles was the immediate decision to scrap Celtic’s established 4-3-3 in favour of his own 3-4-3 system, a setup that interim manager Martin O’Neill has already reverted from. Reflecting on the period, Callum McGregor admitted the poor run of form had begun to take a heavy toll on the squad. “When you take away that confidence, everybody starts to struggle with that. “You have to go to the pitch and have confidence and belief in yourself and, ultimately, when you lose games, that does waver. “We’re all human beings at the end of the day, so it does affect you.” Martin O’Neill’s return has restored belief in the side. Thursday’s ten-man draw in Bologna proves his ability to galvanise the squad, and a win at Tynecastle will now put Celtic within reach of the top “There’s been so many negative stories going about this season. There actually is so much positive to look forward to, so much to play for and the players have drawn a line under it,” the 32-year-old added. “I think now for everyone externally as well, we have to draw a line under it and move forward because if we keep dwelling on it, we aren’t going to achieve what it is we want to achieve. “The players are at peace with that, and we know we’ve put ourselves in a difficult position, but still in the conversation with a huge game to come on Sunday.” Follow Hearts v Celtic on SNN Sports this Sunday, with exclusive pre and post-match coverage.

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.”