Heart of Midlothian FC

[DavidMc]

Dundee United v Heart of Midlothian
Scottish Premier League
Wednesday 2nd January 07
Tannadice Stadium, Dundee

New signings Danny Grainger and Danny Swanson are likely to make their Dundee United debuts against Hearts.

Winger Craig Conway is also fully fit following a foot problem, but Lukasz Zaluska (foot) and Keith Watson (knee) are absent.

Hearts are set to welcome back striker Andrius Velicka and winger Audrius Ksanavicius.

Ibrahim Tall and Marius Zaliukas are both doubtful while midfielder Laryea Kingston is on international duty.

[DavidMc]

Dundee United 4-1 Hearts

Final score

Dundee United captain Barry Robson grabbed a hat-trick at Tannadice to sink shambolic eight-man Hearts.

Robson smashed home from eight yards after 22 minutes but Christophe Berra levelled before half-time.

Hearts' Marius Zaliukas was sent-off for elbowing Lee Wilkie and Robson converted the resultant penalty before setting up Noel Hunt for number three.

Robson scored another from the spot as first Lee Wallace and then Michael Stewart were sent off for Hearts.

Tannadice fell silent as both sets of players gathered around the centre circle before the ground erupted in applause as a tribute to Phil O'Donnell.

There was little goalmouth action in the opening 10 minutes.

New United left-back Danny Grainger survived a penalty appeal when referee Alan Freeland ruled his shoulder charge on Calum Elliot was a fair challenge.

Hearts keeper Steve Banks got down well to hold the first shot on target in the 16th minute when Willo Flood struck a half-cleared corner through a ruck of bodies from 20 yards out.

Freeland enraged the visiting fans by ruling that Robbie Neilson's miscue, which Banks caught, was a deliberate pass-back and awarded United a free-kick just outside the six-yard box.

The hosts took full advantage as Robson smashed the ball into the top corner following Lee Wilkie's touch back, to give United a 22nd-minute lead.

Andrew Driver immediately hobbled off after appearing to injure his foot while slicing wide following a set-piece 20 yards out.

Deividas Cesnauskis replaced him to make his first Hearts appearance since November 2006 following a series of injury problems.

Hearts levelled in the 37th minute when Christophe Berra slid in to convert a corner from Stewart which had been headed on by Zaliukas.

Andrius Velicka soon headed wide from close range after Neilson's long throw, but Hearts could not keep their pressure going until the break.

United were the better side in the second period but failed to create any clear-cut chances.

The home side took the lead following a unfortunate series of events after 67 minutes culminating in a penalty kick.

Zaliukas elbowed Wilkie off the ball in the penalty box after Hearts had cleared an attack and the Lithuanian was immediately sent off.

Then Freeland, after a long delay and discussions with his assistant, pointed to the spot.

Neilson had been waiting to take a throw-in following the red card but the incident had occurred when the ball was in play.

And Robson, who has been subject to speculation about a possible move to Celtic, converted his second gift of the day in the 69th minute.

The United captain turned provider for Hunt after 82 minutes when his wickedly curling free-kick was headed home from close range by the little Irish winger.

And Robson completed the rout and his own hat-trick with three minutes to go when he raced clear through on goal and was felled in the box by Lee Wallace.

Wallace received his marching orders for the professional foul.

Robson drilled his second penalty of the day low past Bank.

Stewart was sent off in injury time as sorry Hearts, who have now lost six league games in a row, were reduced to seven outfield players.

[DavidMc]

Hearts are in a shocking state at the moment. As a fan of scottish football, I hate seeing this because we need a strong Hearts side as they are one of the bigger sides in Scotland outwith the Old Firm.

I hope they sort themselves out soon.

They are better than where they are now.

[DavidMc]

Heart of Midlothian v Kilmarnock
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 5th January 08
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh

Hearts are minus suspended trio Michael Stewart, Marius Zaliukas and Lee Wallace for the visit of Kilmarnock.
Ibrahim Tall is still struggling with a leg injury but caretaker manager Stevie Frail is considering handing defender Ryan McGowan his full debut.

Kilmarnock's have an injury crisis with Mehdi Taouil doubtful and striker Gary Wales could also miss out.

Rhian Dodds, Eric Skora, Ryan O'Leary , Grant Murray and David Lilley are all doubts with Frazer Wright suspended.



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Hearts squad: Banks, Neilson, Tall, McGowan, Berra, Goncalves, Driver, Jonsson, Ksnavicius, Palazuelos, Velicka, Mikoliunas, Nade, Ivaskevicius, Elliot, Basso, Cesnauskis, Karipidis

Kilmarnock squad: Combe, Hamill, Ford, Hay, Fernandez, Johnston, Fowler, Bryson, Gibson, Koudou, Taouil, Nish, Wales, Invincibile, Harpur, Clancy, Noble, Locke, Flannigan, K Wright, Morgan.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Hearts 1-1 Kilmarnock

Andrius Velicka's goal saved 10-man Hearts from slipping to their seventh consecutive league defeat.
Kilmarnock's Paul Di Giacamo celebrated his return after a loan spell at Partick with a cool finish from Jamie Hamill's cross in the 44th minute.

Hearts dominated a lacklustre first-half before Calum Elliot was sent-off for two bookable offences.

But the Tynecastle outfit came roaring back in the second half and Velicka earned a point with a close-range shot.

Hearts caretaker boss Stevie Frail made five changes to the side that lost 4-1 to Dundee United.

Andrew Driver was injured, Saulius Mikoliunas relegated to the bench, and Marius Zaliukas, Michael Stewart and Lee Wallace all suspended after being sent off at Tannadice.

Christos Karipidis, Eggert Jonsson, Audrius Ksanavicius, Jose Goncalves and Deividas Cesnauskis were brought in.

Martyn Corrigan made his Kilmarnock following his transfer from Motherwell.

Killie boss Jim Jefferies was without the suspended Frazer Wright and injured pair Mehdi Taouil and Gary Wales.

David Fernandez was dropped as Tim Clancy, Gary Locke and Paul Di Giacomo were restored to the starting line-up.

Hamill and Locke were off target from long range for Kilmarnock, before Elliot was booked for a scything challenge on Danny Invincibile.

Hearts managed the first effort on target in the 33rd minute when Ruben Palazuelos met Robbie Neilson's deep cross but the Spaniard was too far out to trouble Alan Combe with his header.

But Combe had to be at his best moments later when Ksanavicius broke clear to fire a powerful strike that the Killie goalkeeper palmed over.

Elliot then saw red for catching Clancy after he had cleared and the striker received his second yellow card.

Hamill's powerful effort from a tight angle forced Steve Banks to palm clear, but Di Giacamo broke the deadlock when he volleyed home Hamill's cross.

Hearts were a different proposition in the second half and Andrius Velicka equalised in the 63rd minute.

Deividas Cesnauskis' corner was headed on by Christophe Berra and Velicka lashed the ball home.



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Hearts: Banks; Neilson, Karipidis, Berra, Goncalves, Cesnauskis, Palazuelos, Jonsson, Ksanavicius, Elliot, Velicka. Subs: Basso, McGowan, Nade, Pospisil, Mikoliunas, Beniusis, Brown.

Booked: Elliot

Sent-off: Eliot

Goals: Velicka, 63

Kilmarnock: Combe; Corrigan, Ford, Clancy, Hay, Invincibile, Locke, Fowler, Hamill, Nish, Di Giacomo. Subs: Harpur, Johnston, Morgan, Gibson, Fernandez, Flannigan, Wright.

Booked: Nish

Ref: J Underhill

Att: 14,346

I haven't seen or commented on Hearts in so long I dont have a clue who is their manager?

[DavidMc]

Stevie Frail is meant to be the manager, but as you know with Hearts, no-one really knows who picks the team and takes care first team duties.

Apparently Romanov is looking for a permanent manager but I cant think of anyone who would want to work for Romanov.

[kenny hoggan]

Jim Jefferies and Craig Levein are expected to head the short list of desired candidates for the vacant managerial post at Hearts when it is finalised later this week. The Kilmarnock manager appears far more likely to agree to a return to Tynecastle than Levein, who is settled at Dundee United, but the Tannadice boss remains the preferred choice of the most influential figures within the Hearts hierarchy.

Campbell Ogilvie, the Tynecastle club's operations director, and Pedro Lopez, the deputy chief executive, have been charged with compiling a list to present to majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov. Jefferies, 57, said after his team's 1-1 draw with Hearts that he would make no specific comment until his chairman told him there had been an official approach. He and assistant Billy Brown, however, are believed to be ready to welcome any such approach.

A former Hearts player and manager, Jefferies is the longest-serving manager in the SPL, having been in charge of Kilmarnock since February 2002. In his first full season in charge he took the club to fourth place, while in the last two seasons they have finished fifth.

The new full-time manager will be expected to work with Stephen Frail and Anatoly Korobochka, the sport director. Jefferies will be comfortable with that arrangement provided he has the real day-to-day power on the football side of the club, and provided that he can take Billy Brown too.


JJ && BB To Swinecastle?

[kenny hoggan]

dont think JJ will return to hearts, Hope he doesnt, were looking dangerously close to administration and if we dont move up the table then we might not be a club anymore.

He seemd happy enough when we beat them last season, hope his feelings are the same

hope he stays and can take the killie back up the table

Cant see Levein switching to tyncastle either, hes doing well with united so he will stay at that post and see how far he can take them

[DavidMc]

Pinilla injury a blow for Hearts

Hearts striker Mauricio Pinilla is in danger of missing the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury.
The 23-year-old Chilean suffered ligament damage while training and may require surgery.

Pinilla returned to Tynecastle in the summer after a six-month loan at Universidad de Chile but injuries have restricted him to just two appearances.

Meanwhile, Hearts' academy director John Murray signed a new contract with the Edinburgh club this week.

And caretaker manager Stephen Frail is delighted that Murray, who was being linked with Celtic, is staying on.

"It is fantastic news, especially with the calibre of club that were looking to lure John away from here," Frail told the club website.

"He has set up a fantastic youth system at the club and it runs very well.

"He has good coaches at every age level. He has been a great help to me at first-team level with advice.

"The thing that would make it very difficult to leave is that he is a Hearts man.

"You see guys that have come through the youth system and it is down to John Murray, in terms of identifying the players, having the coaches in place to coach the players - the whole youth set-up was nothing when he came in.

"We knew there was a chance we could have lost John. I am delighted he is staying and that he has put the speculation away."

[DavidMc]

Heart of Midlothian 2-2 Motherwell
Scottish FA Cup
Saturday 12th January
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh
(Match goes to a replay)

Motherwell recovered from two goals down to drag Hearts to a Fir Park replay in a sparkling cup tie.

Deividas Cesnauskis volleyed home for the Jam Tarts in 10 minutes after Audrius Ksanavicius found him unmarked with a low cross from the left flank.

Andrius Velicka made it 2-0 after 52 minutes, eluding the Well defence from a long ball before rounding keeper Graeme Smith to slot home.

Chris Porter responded, slamming a double in 64 and 78 minutes for Well.

Well boss Mark McGhee spoke of his admiration for the character his team displayed in their first outing since the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell.

"We came here determined to enjoy it regardless of the result," he said.

"There was a big crowd, our crowd were brilliant, I just wanted it be a football match worthy of a Scottish Cup tie.

"Obviously we made it difficult for ourselves going two behind but even at 2-0 I said to Scott Leitch 'there is still something here for us'."

The visitors were boosted with the backing of 3,500 travelling fans in the capital.

New captain Paul Quinn featured while Keith Lasley faced the difficult task of stepping into the midfield position occupied by the late Well skipper.

David Clarkson, O'Donnell's nephew, retained his place in the Well starting line-up.

The Edinburgh side were forced to bring in Eduardas Kurskis in goal with Anthony Basso also injured, and caretaker boss Stephen Frail also brought back Michael Stewart following suspension and the fit-again Andrew Driver.

Hearts started with verve, Velicka screwing a snap shot wide following good work by Andrew Driver.

The opener arrived for Frail's men, however, with Cesnauskis finishing off with aplomb to give the current SPL strugglers a timely lift.

Well responded to the early blow in positive manner, with Kurskis palming away a dangerous Ross McCormack free kick.

But the home side retained their discipline, and Motherwell's only further chance of the half came on the break when Porter headed wide under pressure following Jim Paterson's cross.

Velicka made it much more comfortable for Hearts with the second, racing onto a speculative raking pass, and as the Well defence hesitated, the Lithuanian pounced for his 11th goal of the season.

The Lanarkshire side were far from downhearted though and endeavoured to haul themselves back into contention.

And their persistence paid off, when Keith Lasley flicked the ball into the path of McCormack who squared for Porter and the Englishman made no mistake.

McGhee had called for a powerful performance from his side, and their determination shone through as the second period ebbed and flowed.

And when Porter equalised in an almost carbon copy of their first, with McCormack inspired, it was no less than McGhee's men deserved.

The drama was far from over, with both teams doing their utmost to avoid a replay, and the dangerous Velicka clipped the Well crossbar in the dying minutes.

Both sides were forced to settle for the draw, with the Steelmen now anticipating a second chance to progress at home.



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Hearts: Kurskis, Neilson, Karipidis, Berra, Goncalves, Cesnauskis (Mikoliunas 74), Stewart, Palazuelos, Driver (Wallace 77), Ksanavicius (Pospisil 87), Velicka. Subs Not Used: Bjornsson, Jonsson.

Booked: Stewart, Neilson.

Goals: Cesnauskis 10, Velicka 52.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, Clarkson (Fitzpatrick 90), McGarry (Darren Smith 63), Lasley, Hughes, Porter, McCormack. Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Brian McLean, Murphy.

Booked: Quinn, Craigan.

Goals: Porter 64, 78.

Att: 13,651

[DavidMc]

Heart of Midlothian 1-0 Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 19th January 08
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh

A header from Andrius Velicka ended Hearts' 10-game run without a win and claimed the Edinburgh derby honours.

The Lithuanian's nod from six yards after 20 minutes was straight at Yves Ma-Kalambay but the Hibs keeper could only flap the ball into his own net.

With both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table, there was a real shortage of quality play.

However, Hearts posed more threat in attack, while Hibs seldom caused the home defence any trouble.

Hearts will be delighted with a rare victory and to have kept just their second clean sheet of the season.

Hibs, who last won a league game on 10 November, saw a lot of the ball in the second half but could not craft any meaningful chances.

A congested midfield and some typically robust tackling made for a scrappy opening but Hearts looked the more menacing side, with the visitors frequently gifting them possession.

With 11 minutes gone, Ruben Palazuelos rode a poor tackle from Hibs skipper Rob Jones on the edge of the penalty box and his deflected shot was brilliantly clawed away by Ma-Kalambay.

Hibs countered with a quick break but Abdessalam Benjelloun's shot on the turn from 18 yards was easily gathered by Steve Banks.

Another deflected strike troubled Ma-Kalambay but Eggert Johnsson's powerful effort looped narrowly wide of the target.

The opening goal came via a deep corner kick, which was nodded back into the danger zone by Christophe Berra, and Velicka's close range header was fumbled over the line by Ma-Kalambay.

Hibs winger Filpe Morais fizzed a low delivery across the Hearts penalty area but Benjelloun completely missed the ball with a swipe when he was perfectly placed to score.

Fellow Moroccan Merouane Zemmama then had a shot blocked by former Hibee Michael Stewart, who was guarding the post from a corner.

Hibs were growing as an attacking threat but a swift counter from the home side saw Andrew Driver's low strike saved by Ma-Kalambay and Hearts were once again in the ascendancy as the first half drew to a close.

The visitors made a bright start after the interval and had Hearts pinned back for long spells, although Banks was not called into action thanks to some resolute defending from his team-mates.

Hibs were also undone by poor decision making and the final ball from midfield often left the forwards frustrated.

Half time replacement Steven Fletcher, back from a lengthy injury lay-off, did engineer some room on the edge of the penalty box after 73 minutes but his shot was well blocked by the lunging Johnsson.

Hearts came close to a late goal when substitute Saulius Mikoliunas was presented with a free header in a central position but Ma-Kalambay got down smartly to keep it out.

And there was another scare for Hibs when full-back Kevin McCann shaved the outside of his own post with a clearance

[DavidMc]

Motherwell 1-0 Heart of Midlothian
Scottish Cup
Tuesday 22nd January 08
Fir Park, Motherwell

Ross McCormack's penalty was enough to give Motherwell victory over Hearts and a place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup against Dundee.
The vital breakthrough came after 23 minutes, when McCormack played the ball against Eggert Jonsson's hand and the striker fired the spot-kick home.

Motherwell dominated thereafter, but Hearts put in a desperate effort in the closing stages.

And, when Andrius Velicka fired against the post, the chance was gone.

It was a night of double joy for the Motherwell fans following the news that manager Mark McGhee is likely to miss out on becoming the Scotland manager.

There had been a 10-minute delay to kick-off as a large crowd gathered for Motherwell's first home game since the death of captain Phil O'Donnell.

The home fans' hopes of marking it with a victory suffered a pre-match blow when Steven McGarry took ill just before kick-off.

Jim Paterson, in the middle of a league suspension but free to play in the cup, was the midfielder's replacement.

But, during a tense opening, it was the home side who threatened first and McCormack whipped in a dangerous free-kick that just evaded Chris Porter and the far post.

Michael Stewart had recovered from a stomach complaint to retain his place in Hearts' midfield.

And it was his corner that gave Deividas Cesnauskis a chance from 12 yards, but the winger's prodded effort was cleared a yard from goal by Marc Fitzpatrick.


Jonsson conceded the penalty when the ball struck his hand

But it was the home side who took the lead when Jonsson blocked the ball with his arm as McCormack crossed the ball into the penalty area.

Referee Stuart Dougal immediately pointed to the spot and, after some treatment to Porter, McCormack stepped up to fire the ball high in to the net.

Motherwell dominated the first half thereafter.

Saulius Mikoliunas had come in for Andrew Driver on the wing and the in-form Englishman's absence appeared to adversely affect Hearts' midfield creativity.

Hearts brought Christian Nade on for the ineffective Cesnauskis at the break and the visitors drove at the Motherwell goal with renewed vigour without causing great problems for goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

Motherwell, meanwhile, missed the aerial presence of Porter, who had gone off through injury.

And Hearts missed a great chance when Paul Quinn failed to cut out Jonsson's cross and Velicka cracked the ball off the post from 12 yards with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Nade slalomed past a couple of Motherwell players on the byline before sending in a shot that was saved at the near post by Smith.

The goalkeeper made a brave save at the feet of Nade as McGhee's side progressed to the fifth round.



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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, Hughes, Lasley, Fitzpatrick, Clarkson, McCormack, Porter (Darren Smith 45).
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Brian McLean, Archdeacon, Murphy.

Booked: Lasley, Quinn.

Goals: McCormack 23 pen.

Hearts: Banks, Neilson, Berra, Karipidis, Goncalves, Mikoliunas, Jonsson, Stewart, Cesnauskis (Nade 45), Velicka, Palazuelos.
Subs Not Used: Bjornsson, Beniusis, Wallace, Ivaskevicius.

Booked: Neilson, Mikoliunas, Jonsson.

Att: 8,300

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v Heart of Midlothian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 26th January 08
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

New Aberdeen signing Dave Bus could make his debut against Hearts after joining on loan from De Graafschap.
Lee Mair and Richard Foster are fit again, Stuart Duff is available after being cup-tied, but Richie Byrne, Karim Touzani and Sone Aluko are out injured.

Winger Neil McCann has been added to the Hearts squad for the first time since breaking his leg in August.

But Calum Elliot and Marius Zaliukas are suspended, while Andrew Driver and David Cesnauskis are injury doubts.



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Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Diamond, Considine, Mair, McNamara, Bus, Dan Smith, Foster, Duff, Nicholson, Severin, Young, Miller, Jamie Smith, De Visscher, Lovell, Mackie, Jonathan Smith, Soutar.

Hearts (from): Banks, Neilson, Karipidis, Berra, Goncalves, Driver, Palazuelos, Stewart, Cesnauskis, Ksanavicius, Velicka, Bjornsson, Mikoliunas, Nade, Wallace, Jonsson, McCann, McGowan