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McInnes praises “calm” Hearts after Motherwell fightback

Derek McInnes believes Hearts’ ability to manage the “anxiety” of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Motherwell was crucial, as the Jambos reached 70 points and remained atop the Scottish Premiership heading into the split. Goals from Lawrence Shankland, Claudio Braga, and Pierre Landry Kabore settled a comeback victory for Hearts. Speaking at full-time, McInnes lauded his side’s performance in a “fiercely contested” battle. “I think we saw a lot of the good in both teams. Some things we could do better, Motherwell will be disappointed at one or two of their bigger chances. “But I thought we were the better team in the first half. We shaded it just in terms of Motherwell didn’t really connect the game they normally do. “But they did get a couple of shots from the edge of the box. They are good at creating that space in front of centre-halfs. “They caused us a bit of anxiety with their speed. Longelo, Maswanhise, Just and Said, they are all lovely footballers, but I thought in the main we dealt with it really well. “It has hard to keep a good team round and there was a feeling when we went 1-0 down, we had it all to do.” A tactical switch proved key for McInnes, with his side chasing the game after Emmanuel Longelo’s low finish in the 50th minute. “It was important we stayed calm. I reverted to my 4-4-2. Sometimes it is good to go back to the familiar, but it gave them more control in the middle of the park, so we reverted back and I thought we were far better. “We had some good moments, I thought my subs did well and obviously a great goal from [Claudio] Braga gets us back on our way. “Nobody was settling for 1-1. We tried to put stress on their back line. I wasn’t sure about the penalty, but everyone who’s seen it back says it is a penalty – he gets kicked in the head. “Lawrence Shankland tucks it away brilliantly and Kabore finishes it off. So your three strikers scoring. We were strong in the last 10 minutes to see it out for a great three points.” Shankland expressed his own excitement for the final month of this gripping title race. “It’ll make for a brilliant end to the season for Scottish football in general, but we’ll just look to go and win as many games as we can, and if we do that, we could be in a really good place. ” When we started out the season, you had an idea that we were a strong side and had a good feeling about the place. “We’ve managed to carry that through, got a lot of positive results and are still sitting in a good position come April and getting into May. We can be excited, there’s a lot to be excited about. “A lot of big games coming up and it’s just about getting ready for them.” The Hearts captain has featured in all three matches against Motherwell this season, and appreciates the challenge that Jens Berthel Askou’s side provide. “They’re a good side and they cause you problems,” he said. “It was just about dealing with that throughout the majority of the game. “We dealt with a lot of it pretty well, but when they have that much of the ball, they are going to have moments where they threaten a goal. “They went 1-0 up, and it’s just about character from there.”

April 12, 2026

Hearts 3-1 Motherwell: Jambos remain top as split awaits

Hearts leave it late, but pick up all three points to keep themselves top of the league going into the split. It was Lawrence Shankland who had the first opportunity of the match, when he picked up from a poor Stephen Welsh clearance. However, his effort drifted wide of Callum Ward’s goal. Motherwell quickly settled into the game, with Tawanda Maswanhise running down the wing and putting a dangerous cross into Hearts’ territory. No Motherwell player was in the box to convert, and it was put over the crossbar unconvincingly by Oisin McEntee. Hearts continued their pressure on the Motherwell backline. Callum Ward had a heart-in-mouth moment, as he spent too much time on the ball, allowing Claudio Braga to intercept, but Motherwell’s Stephen Welsh was there to clear any danger. In the 20th minute, Hearts had a great opportunity to open the scoring, as Oisin McEntee’s header was almost certain to hit the net. However, an outstanding save from Ward denied the Hearts full-back. End-to-end stuff at Tynecastle, saw Elliot Watt’s rocket effort parried away by Alexander Schwolow in the Hearts goal, after a promising Steelmen counter-attack. Another fantastic save in the 28th minute by Schwolow, as Ibrahim Said’s long-distance shot was parried and collected before Emmanuel Longelo could have any chance of earning a rebound. 31 minutes on the clock, saw Hearts produce a move off the training ground from a free-kick. The final chance fell to Blair Spittal, but his effort sailed just wide of the post. Tensions rose around Tynecastle, as many stoppages of play from referee Matthew MacDermid frustrated the Hearts crowd. Maswanhise had the first chance after the interval, as a looped cross fell to the back post. But his poor effort didn’t challenge Schwolow. It wasn’t long before Motherwell opened the scoring. A well-worked passage of play saw Lukas Fadinger’s cross fall to the back post for Longelo to tap home into the net, putting the away end into frenzy. Motherwell continued their good spell with a counter-attack that almost paid off. Maswanhise’s low-driven effort drifted slightly past Schwolow’s net, causing anxiety amongst the Hearts support. Hearts equalised in the 60th minute, when Stuart Findlay’s header from a corner landed to Claudio Braga, who pulled off an acrobatic effort which fell into the bottom left corner of Ward’s net. Putting the Portuguese international at 14 goals for the season in the league. Emmanuel Longelo had a fantastic opportunity to double his scoring in the 71st minute, as Elijah Just was given acres of space in the middle of the pitch, which allowed him to give the ball to Maswanhise out wide. Maswanhise’s cross fell to Longelo at the back post, but he was unable to punish. And shortly afterwards, Maswanhise had a wonderful chance to certainly make it two. The top goalscorer in the league found himself one-on-one with Schwolow, but the Motherwell talisman somehow failed to trouble the Hearts goalkeeper as his chance went wide. Hearts were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute, after Stephen Welsh kicked Landy Kabore on the head. Lawrence Shankland stepped up from the spot, and the Hearts talisman converted off the inside of the post and into the back of the net, to give Hearts an almighty lead in this fascinating title race. Landry Kabore sealed the win in the dying minutes of the match, as his game-winning effort snuck under Callum Ward’s arm, sending Tynecastle into eruption. Another three points for Hearts and Derek McInnes means they remain on top of the league going into the split with only five games to play. Hearts also reached 70 points this afternoon with five games remaining, the second time they have ever done so in the top-flight. For Motherwell, it’s no win in five matches going into the split. However, Hibs also dropped points in Aberdeen this afternoon, which means they remain in fourth place. Hearts: Schwolow (6), Kingsley (6), Halkett (6), Baningime (6), Shankland (8), Braga (8), Devlin (7), Spittal (6), Findlay (6), McEntee (5), Kyziridis (4) Subs: Kabore (8), Kerjota (5), Altena (5), Steinwender (4), McCart (1) Motherwell: Ward (6), O’Donnell (6), Sparrow (5), Fadinger (5), McGinn (6), Maswanhise (5), Watt (7), Just (7), Longelo (7), Welsh (6), Said (6) Subs: McGhee (1), Hendry (1), Nicholson (1), Priestman (1)

April 11, 2026

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

April 10, 2026

Marc Leonard Red Card Appeal Dismissed

The Scottish Premiership has once again found itself at the centre of controversy following the decision to dismiss Marc Leonard’s appeal against his red card, a ruling that has sparked fresh debate around VAR intervention and consistency in officiating. The incident occurred during the match between Heart of Midlothian and Livingston, where Leonard who is on loan at Hearts, was initially shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Livingston forward Robbie Muirhead. However, following a VAR review, referee Kevin Clancy upgraded the booking to a straight red card, judging the foul to be a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Hearts subsequently lodged an appeal through the Scottish FA’s fast-track tribunal process, arguing that the criteria for the incident had not been met. Despite these claims, the appeal was dismissed, meaning Leonard’s suspension remains in place. The controversy adds to ongoing concerns about VAR’s role in the Scottish game. Critics argue that interventions should be reserved for “clear and obvious” errors, while supporters maintain that the system helps correct critical mistakes. Leonard’s case highlights the fine margins involved in such decisions and the difficulty in achieving universal agreement on subjective calls. For Hearts, the decision is a significant blow. Leonard, who joined the club on loan from Birmingham City in January, has been a key midfield presence, and his suspension comes at a crucial stage of the season. With fixtures piling up and league positions tightly contested, his absence could prove costly in the race for the title.

April 9, 2026

“Delighted to be amongst it” – McInnes relishing split after fixture announcement

Derek McInnes claims he would be happy to face Hearts’ title rivals “in a car park” following the release of their highly anticipated post-split fixtures. Speaking before they clash with Motherwell, the manager acknowledged that while the team is focused on the pitch, the specific scheduling of the Jambos’ remaining games may be a source of frustration for the supporters. “I actually don’t really care from our point of view where we play and the times and all the rest of it.” “We’re just delighted to be part of the whole conversation, delighted that we’re going to be in amongst it and looking forward to the games when they come up,” “It’s not great for the fans that they don’t get Saturday three o’clock, but I think, you know, having three away games, it was probably difficult to fit everything in. “I get how not everybody’s going to be happy. I think the league have got a tough job to try and keep every club happy and every set of supporters happy, but for us we’re just obviously excited about the games that are coming up. “I think you look at them, a lot of mouth-watering fixtures, we’ve said that the top six would sort everything out, and these fixtures will. They’re brilliant fixtures.” Roughly 600 away supporters are expected at Celtic Park to witness a potentially historic moment for Hearts, as the club stands on the verge of securing its first top-tier league title in over six decades. “That’s disappointing, that is, and I can understand the frustration from that.” “Let’s hope that we are getting into that game with plenty to play for, and we’ve got a lot of work to do before then, but I totally get that.” The Hearts manager believes the final day showdown with Celtic will be an “unbelievable” finale. “If both teams are still in the mix for winning a league, it’s the most dramatic fixture you can have.” McInnes believes the title drama could go down to the wire, with Falkirk hosting Rangers on the final matchday simultaneously. “They’ve got a difficult away game last game of the season as well, so I think it’s up to the league and the TV companies to try and maximise the drama,”. Hearts Post Split Fixtures Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian (26th April 4:30 pm) Heart of Midlothian v Rangers (4th May 5:30 pm) Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian (9th May 8:00 pm) Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk (13th May 8:00 pm) Celtic v Heart of Midlothian (16th May 12:30 pm)

April 8, 2026

“I thought he was terrific” – Derek McInnes on Lawrence Shankland’s return

Lawrence Shankland returned with 90 minutes in Hearts’ 2-2 draw with Livingston and had a major part to play in both goals. Shankland equalised for Hearts midway through the first half, as well as assisting striker partner Claudio Braga to give Hearts their second goal in West Lothian. The striker was missing for eight matches with a hamstring injury and was given a cameo introduction during Hearts’ victory over Dundee before the international break. And the Hearts talisman delivered on his first full 90 minutes back from injury, showing his quality to keep Hearts at the top of the table. After the match, McInnes said: “I thought he [Shankland] was terrific throughout, I thought he linked the play brilliantly, but he looked a threat, his headers top class, and he was in the middle of the goal so often. I think you see exactly what he is today.” McInnes also talked about how big a miss Shankland and others have been in recent fixtures, especially away from home. He said: “I think we’ve missed certain players within it, to be honest. I don’t think we’ve had the same attacking threat of late without Shankland and others.” With six matches remaining, the Hearts support will be looking for their captain and other key players to show their fine form that has been produced throughout the season. In hope to take the Scottish Premiership title away from Glasgow for the first time since 1985.

April 7, 2026

Two Leagues, One Identity: Hearts’ Rise

Heart of Midlothian’s position at the top of both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 in the 2025/2026 season is not simply just a reflection of strong form, but of a club wide model built on structure and efficiency. For the men’s team, Derek McInnes has built a side that knows exactly what it is. Hearts are compact and difficult to break down, closing off central areas and forcing opponents to dig deep into the game. Their defensive structure this season has also been very strong, with Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay receiving high praise from the manager consistently. In midfield, there’s a clear balance. Cameron Devlin brings energy and aggression, winning the ball back and driving the team forward, while Beni Baningime and Marc Leonard offer a calmness and control when things need to slow down. The women’s team, led by Eva Olid, have taken a slightly different route to the same outcome. Their style is more front-footed, with an emphasis on pressing high and winning the ball back quickly. Georgia Timms has been a major influence in attack, making the most of those moments with sharp positioning and consistent finishing. Around her, Carly Johns adds creativity and movement, finding space and linking play in dangerous areas. What stands out across both teams is how clear everything looks. Players understand their roles, the shape is consistent, and the approach doesn’t change drastically from game to game. Recruitment, coaching, and player development all seem aligned, which is helping create success on both sides of the game. There are not many games left to go this season, and staying at the top will bring its own pressures. But right now, Heart of Midlothian look well equipped to handle that.

April 6, 2026

Hearts retake top spot despite being held by Livingston

Hearts reclaimed top spot in the Scottish Premiership despite being held to a 2-2 draw by bottom-of-the-table Livingston on Sunday afternoon. Rangers’ 4-2 victory over Dundee United at Ibrox yesterday afternoon means the Jambos’ lead at the top of the Premiership table is now just a single point, with six games remaining. The hosts took a shock lead in the 5th minute, as they took full advantage of the first opportunity of the game. Babacar Fati played a fine ball into the box from the left-hand side, an initial shot from Scott Arfield was blocked before the ball fell kindly to Stevie May, who fired the ball low into the bottom corner to net his first goal of the season. Marvin Bartley’s men had made a fast start to the game and were making life difficult for the visitors in the opening exchanges. Hearts were beginning to grow into the game and enjoy some much-needed possession after a nervy start. Claudio Braga had two attempts at goal, his first strike could only find the side netting from a tight angle, before he managed to wriggle away from Livingston’s backline inside the box, but his strike was tame and collected by Jerome Prior in the Livingston goal. The Jambos had their equaliser in the 25th minute. Cristian Montano failed to clear the ball on the edge of his own area, Birmingham loanee Marc Leonard was first to react to the loose ball, playing a perfectly timed ball into the box for Lawrence Shankland, who rose highest to put his side back on level terms and cancel out Stevie May’s opener. Shankland’s equaliser kick-started a spell of dominance for the Gorgie side, with the talisman coming close to a second goal of the afternoon when Claudio Braga controlled Kyziridis’ high cross into the box, allowing Shankland time to strike from range, but his volley flew narrowly wide. In the 40th minute, Hearts threatened once more. Claudio Braga tested the fingertips of Jerome Prior from distance, Prior got down well to his left to divert Braga’s low effort away from danger. The final notable chance of an eventful first half came when Scott Arfield sent a low free kick wide of the Hearts goal. Both sides had to deal with troubling weather conditions as torrential rain and snow began to fall in West Lothian. Hearts started the half the better of the two and took the lead in the 50th minute. Braga and Shankland had looked dangerous all afternoon, and the pair combined well to net their team’s second goal of the game. Shankland’s header at the far post was blocked well by Cristian Montano, but the ball would drop back for the Scotland striker, who played the ball back across goal for Braga, who leaped highest to beat several defenders and give his side a vital lead. Despite Braga’s header, Hearts could only keep their advantage for a matter of minutes. Livingston responded brilliantly to going behind for the first time in the match. Cristian Montano drove forward with the ball on the byline before cutting it back for Joel Nouble inside the box; he miscued an attempt from range, but the ball fell for Lewis Smith, who blasted the ball beyond Alexander Schwolow. The match started to become a very scrappy and end-to-end affair throughout spells of the second half, with both teams struggling to break each other down after Smith’s equaliser, as the game entered the closing stages. As the game entered four minutes of additional time, Robbie Muirhead looked to drive past Marc Leonard on the halfway line, only to be wiped out and brought down. Leonard was shown a yellow card, but a lengthy VAR check followed, which saw the yellow be upgraded to a red card, meaning Hearts had to see the final few seconds of the game out with ten men. Next up for Hearts is a home game against Motherwell next Saturday, meanwhile Livingston travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United.

April 5, 2026

Hearts: McInnes Provides Injury Update Ahead Of Livingston Match

Derek McInnes has provided an injury update ahead of his squads clash against Livingston on Sunday. The Hearts boss said “Kingsley is back in and Halkett’s fine after missing last time out with his back” “Magnusson has been training, and he had a mask fitted and was training absolutely fine. But, he has picked up a thigh strain now, doing some shooting on Wednesday.” “He will miss the game, we will get a bit further investigation on him and see how he is” “Harry (Milne) and Stu (Stuart Findlay) are progressing well. The game will come too quick for Harry. But we might have a chance of Stu being involved” “He’s had a good week’s work with the medical team and will train tomorrow” Positive updates from the manager ahead of this game where the Jambos will take 7000 fans through to Livingston. Last time the two sides met at the Home of the Set Fare Arena was in August and ended in a 2-1 victory to Hearts. The league leaders are currently on 66 points with Rangers a close second on 63. They have been top of the league since the end of September but with Rangers playing on saturday we could see a shift for the first time in over 6 months.

April 4, 2026

Derek McInnes highlights the fans impact ahead of Kilmarnock

Derek McInnes spoke to the media as his side makes the journey to Kilmarnock this weekend in the hopes of extending their lead at the top of the table. McInnes said “The fans will be in fine form. I mean there is no two ways about it” “I think we could play at 4 in the morning, and I think our fans would be there. That’s the way it feels at the minute” “We feel as if they just want to follow us, and the backing we get home and away has been first class this season” “So when we run out at Rugby Park for the warm up and the lads see that, it feels like a big game right away.” “It also feels like a big game for the opponents and it feels like a cup tie.” “A lot of our better moments have been, so many at Tynecastle but a lot of the good memories already this season and the good moments have been away from home” “Saturday is going to be another opportunity to have that” The Jambos are currently 6 points clear of Rangers in the title race with Celtic 8 points behind in third. As the Hearts head coach travels to face his old team with only 9 games remaining in the league it holds immense pressure to win and push his side to winning the title.

March 14, 2026

Hearts