Neilson drew inspiration from Armstrong
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Hearts 'getting into good habits' insists McEntee
Summer signing Oisin McEntee is enjoying settling into life at Hearts and is happy to serve head coach Derek McInnes wherever he sees who joined from Walsall has been deployed at right-back in Hearts' unbeaten start to their Premier Sports group stage, despite it not being his "most natural" impressed in Saturday's 4-0 win against Stirling Albion as the Tynecastle side attempt to create "good habits"."It was always going to be a difficult game," McEntee said of their meeting with the Binos. "We came into it prepared right and we showed them a lot of respect coming in with our preparation and it's just good to get a 4-0 win."But we're a little bit frustrated. We need to improve on a lot of things, but still, you can't complain about winning 4-0."We're trying to get into good habits and keeping clean sheets is a really good habit, as is winning games. So we just need to keep switched on and keep preparing properly for these games."I'll play wherever the gaffer puts me."It's enjoyable and it's been a good introduction into the side. I'm just trying my best to get a place in the team and wherever it may be."It's not my most natural position, but wherever the gaffer wants me to play, I just need to improve on it - I'm trying my best."
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
'Big Physical Hearts' embark on a set-piece blitz with size and aggression
Premier Sports Cup goals please Tynecastle manager Derek McInnes Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Size and aggression is already a notable Hearts theme as a focus on set-pieces brings rewards in the Premier Sports Cup. Twelve goals in three group games so far have been notable for the impact of set-plays, both directly and indirectly, under new head coach Derek McInnes. Hearts appointed Ross Grant as their first specialised set-piece coach last month and his influence is already clear. Five of the 12 goals scored against Dunfermline, Hamilton and Stirling Albion stemmed from corner-kicks - underlining both Grant's value and the physicality of the new-look Tynecastle side. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stephen Kingsley converted Harry Milne's corner with a cushioned volley in the 4-1 win against Dunfermline, and Blair Spittal's delivery was headed home by debutant Stuart Findlay to begin a 4-0 victory over Hamilton three days later. On Saturday at Stirling Albion, Hearts quickly recycled the ball following a corner-kick as Alexandros Kyziridis crossed for Craig Halkett's headed opening goal. Another second-phase following a corner ended with Halkett heading downwards for Claudio Braga to convert the second. The scoring finished at 4-0 when Halkett's header from Yan Dhanda's corner crossed the line. For those who welcome the proverbial 'Big Physical Hearts' moniker, the forthcoming William Hill Premiership campaign could be interesting. Eight players likely to feature regularly for the Edinburgh club stand above 6ft tall: Defenders Halkett, Findlay, Milne, Frankie Kent, Jamie McCart and Michael Steinwender, plus midfielder Oisin McEntee and striker Lawrence Shankland. Speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh News, McInnes makes no apology about ensuring his team carry size and presence. It is something he prioritises along with assistants Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald. Hearts' final Premier Sports Cup Group E tie against Dumbarton at Tynecastle is on Wednesday, and the new league campaign begins on Monday, 4 August, against Aberdeen. Grant's set-play expertise is proving useful and management intend to utilise that avenue to score more goals. 'Yes, absolutely,' said McInnes. 'I think in pre-season games you're looking for that, plus also one or two that we've had to defend, although maybe not so much the case on Saturday. I think we look pretty secure with that work. We've got good size. On Saturday we had McEntee, Halkett, Findlay, Shankland, all these guys need dealt with at set-pieces. If you're playing with three centre-backs then there's another one, whether that's big Michael Steinwender or Frankie Kent as well. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'You've got Jamie McCart coming back from injury, who I've always thought was good in the opposition box as well. Like every team, you want to make sure you have that threat. I think it's important. It can be the difference between no points and one point, or one point and three points. I'd like us to have a reputation of being really strong at set-plays. Ross has clearly had an influence on that. 'Sometimes, as a staff, you go into a new club and you inherit boys. Even from a set-play point of view, we're all kind of rubbing our hands at the actual size and aggression we've got. Big Stu has a goal already, but he went through the whole of last season at Kilmarnock and he didn't get a goal. He was injured a lot of the time last season but we had others at Kilmarnock like Joe Wright, Robbie Deas, Corrie Ndaba and Kyle Vassell. We obviously had good size and we had good set-play takers, so I know the benefit we can get from that. Hopefully that can continue and get a reputation for it.' The primary aim this week is to earn that Premier Sports Cup last-16 seeding. The three group winners with the best records are seeded for the knockout round alongside Scotland's five European entrants. With three wins from three, 12 goals scored and only one conceded, Hearts know they are pretty much there if they beat Dumbarton. 'Yes, that was the intention which we spoke about,' confirmed McInnes. 'We had a meeting before the first League Cup game and we said: 'Look, the job is to improve as we go through the section, win the games, try to keep as many clean sheets as possible, try to show a wee hint of what we want to try and be, but the main criteria is just to go and win the group. If you can get seeded with that, even better.'' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Premiership season 2025/26 will see a different Hearts side No-one should suggest Hearts are even close to the team McInnes wants after three wins against lower-division opponents. So far, there are plenty positives for McInnes and his coaches as they assess players, tactics, and formations. They will change between a four-man defence and a five throughout the season ahead. 'There is the opportunity to flip between a back four and a five,' explained the head coach. 'Sometimes, depending on our position, we'll do that because we have that flexibility. We had [midfielder] Beni Baningime out [injured] on Saturday. It was always going to be Cammy [Devlin] and Oisin who started in midfield. We thought they needed more minutes after Beni playing in the last couple of games. I think we've got players who can look after the ball, win it in the air, and feed players who can be ball carriers. 'It's my job to be critical. It's my job to demand a bit more and expect a bit more, but we have scored 12 goals with one conceded. We should have scored more. I think the fans are turning up still finding out about this Hearts team. I want us to be a team that are hard to play against. I think every team hasn't really enjoyed playing against us, but we accept there are going to be bigger challenges. I just want us to get into the habit of, whatever system we play, whatever opponent we play, there are wee nuances and habits that just become natural and habitual. 'You want that work and influence on the team. A few weeks ago, they didn't know me, I didn't know a lot of them, we were trying to integrate and manage a bigger squad, integrate new signings whilst still trying to win games. I think if you actually look back to where we were three and a half weeks ago, we've got to be pleased with this outcome at the minute.'
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Tributes to ‘charismatic' Scottish ice hockey player, 19, who died after Ibiza hotel balcony fall
The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Monday morning. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tributes have been paid to a teenage Scottish ice hockey player who lost his life after falling from a balcony at an Ibiza hotel. Gary Kelly died instantly in the fall at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in the early hours of Monday. According to local media, two ambulances were sent to the scene but paramedics could do nothing to save him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 19-year-old played ice hockey for both Dundee Stars and Aberdeen Lynx last season. The tragedy comes just two weeks after Evan Thompson, from Aberdeen, lost his life at the same hotel. The 26-year old was celebrating with friends when he fell from a balcony. Mr Kelly's family have paid tribute to him on social media. In a post on Facebook, Kharis Kelly wrote: 'Our hearts are shattered beyond words. Our handsome boy has gone to the other side, Absolutely no words.'We are asking everyone to respect our privacy as a family while we try to navigate through this tragic news. You'll forever be our boy Gary, Sleep tight.' A statement from Dundee Stars said: 'The Dundee Stars are truly devastated to learn that Gary Kelly has tragically passedaway. We send our thoughts and condolences to Gary's family, partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Everyone at the club including players, staff, management, and ownership are heartbroken to hear this tragic news. 'Gary was hugely talented and charismatic individual who had a great future ahead of him. His loss will impact many in the ice hockey community and beyond. He will be sadly missed. 'We respect and support the family's request for privacy at this extremely difficult time.' The Civil Guard has confirmed that a full investigation is underway.
