Latest news with #Halkett
Scotsman
a day ago
- Sport
- 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 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts 'had words' as Derek McInnes not happy despite 12 goals in three Premier Sports Cup games
Edinburgh club must hit high standards for the 2025/26 SPFL Premiership 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... Anyone thinking Derek McInnes is jovial as Hearts coast towards the Premier Sports Cup knockout phase doesn't know the new Tynecastle manager. His team have scored 12 goals in three wins against lower-league opponents, conceding just one in the process. There are plenty positives but McInnes is still demanding higher standards from his players. Words were exchanged in the away dressing room at Forthbank on Saturday night, despite Hearts cruising to a 4-0 victory over League Two Stirling Albion. Defender Craig Halkett, forward Claudio Braga and debutant winger Alexandros Kyziridis scored to put the visitors 3-0 ahead before half-time. Halkett added a fourth in the second half, but McInnes wasn't entirely happy at full-time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The manager has been on at us. We won 4-0 and going into the changing room you'd think it would be buzzing, but it wasn't,' admitted Halkett. 'We had words because we know it wasn't good enough in certain points of the game and it can get better. We were slack, forcing passes and not doing things quick enough - and even though he told us that, we knew it ourselves. 'That's good, it's refreshing because you don't want someone who is going to tell you that you're brilliant all the time. Everyone knows the standards have to be high in this team. You have to take it on board and try to get better. It's not unusual, even if he hadn't said anything and just left it to the boys, we would have said that among ourselves. It's a collective from everyone demanding more from each other. 'The manager is big on standards. Go back to before he even came in for pre-season when he spoke to people on the phone, he made it clear the standards were not there last season. It wasn't good enough so everyone knew before we came back we all had to lift it. That was the reason Hearts were in that position, so right from the first day it's all been about standards and getting this club back to where it should be.' Mindful of Hearts' seventh-place finish last season before he was lured to Edinburgh from Kilmarnock, McInnes wants to build real momentum ahead of this year's Premiership kick-off against Aberdeen in two weeks' time. His demand for more does not mean victories over Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical and Stirling have not been positive. Indeed, victory over Dumbarton on Wednesday should secure Hearts a seeding place for the Premier Sports Cup knockout rounds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It was good, we have started the season really well,' acknowledged Halkett. 'That's three wins, 12 goals scored and only one conceded. We were disappointed to lose that one to Dunfermline but it's been a good start, although I think we can still get better. It was a bit slack at times against Stirling but we're getting the wins, which is important. Hearts goals ahead of the Scottish Premiership kick-off against Aberdeen 'I feel we have made progress from game to game and that's something the manager has been talking about. He's stressed how nobody can be perfect this early in the season, but also stressing these games are not pre-season friendlies for us. We want to win them and thankfully we're doing that. Everyone knows we can get better, I think we are getting better, but there's more to come. 'A lot of people are getting a lot of minutes in these games and the manager has told everyone when they get their chance that you have to do everything you can to show it's your position. You can see when we play that everyone is giving their all and maybe people are trying too hard at times. We have a big squad and everyone has to fight for the jerseys.' Halkett's header appeared to cross the goal line for Hearts' fourth goal, although his defensive colleague Stuart Findlay arrived to make sure. 'They told me after the game that the linesman thought it was over the line so it was my goal,' smiled Halkett. 'Two in a game, which is great, but as a defender the clean sheet means just as much. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The last time I scored twice in one match would have also been in the League Cup against Stenhousemuir in my first year at Hearts - when I went up front for the last 10 minutes. I was a striker back in my early days at Rangers before I got moved back. It's good that those instincts are still there.' READ MORE: Two Hearts injuries emerge
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Halkett at the double as Hearts hit four at Stirling
Craig Halkett netted a glory double as hearts swept Stirling Albion aside 4-0 at Forthbank in the Premier Sports Cup, Group E. The 30-year-old defender, whose recent career has been dogged by injury, opened the scoring after 13 minutes and completed the tally with ten minutes of regulation time remaining. Halkett (pictured by Nigel Duncan) also recorded an assist on Hearts' second netted by newcomer Claudio Braga. And Alex Kyziridis scored on his debut and also set up the opener for Halkett in the comfortable win against the Scottish League Two outfit. Three of the Jambos goals came in the first 38 minutes and the victory consolidated the Jambos at the top of the section with a perfect record of three straight wins. Derek McInnes has seen his men score 12 goals against Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical and now Stirling with only one in reply. Dunfermline are second in the section with three points, the same as third-placed Hamilton and Dumbarton, who are fourth, with Stirling Albion propping up the section. The Forthbank win also earned the Men in Maroon their second clean sheet in a week after their 4-0 victory at Broadwood against Hamilton and the Gorgie men complete their schedule with a home game against Dumbarton on Wednesday (kick-off 19.45). Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts report and player ratings v Stirling: Debut goal, Premier Sports Cup seed, 100 per cent record
Mid-summer Scottish rain soaked Hearts to the skin but they never looked like slipping in a comfortable Premier Sports Cup win at Stirling Albion. Craig Halkett scored twice with Claudio Braga and debutant Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis also finding the net as the Premiership club overwhelmed League Two opponents to become strong favourites for a knockout-round seeding. The three group winners with the best records are seeded for the last 16 alongside Scotland's five European entrants. Hearts will expect to secure a seeding place if they win their final Group E match against Dumbarton on Wednesday to maintain a 100 per cent record in the competition. Kyziridis enjoyed a strong debut at a sodden Forthbank and generally tormented Stirling's right-back Ross McGeachie. A goal and an assist was a decent way to introduce himself to new fans. With direct running, dribbling and shooting ability, signs are he will be a popular figure at Tynecastle Park this season. In making eight changes to his startling line-up from Tuesday's win against Hamilton, Hearts coach Derek McInnes selected Kyziridis for the first time after a minor injury. His early header forced a save from the Stirling goalkeeper Derek Gaston before he created the opening goal on 13 minutes with a hanging cross which Halkett powerfully headed downwards into the net. Alan Forrest's looping effort from Oisin McEntee's cross bounced off the far post on 18 minutes before Braga doubled the visitors' advantage. From second phase after a corner, Christian Borchgrevink's deep cross found Halkett for a header across goal which Braga nodded goalwards on the run. Gaston's hand got to the ball but couldn't keep it out. Kyziridis found the net himself to put Hearts 3-0 ahead on 38 minutes. Forrest's low delivery across the face of Gaston's goal fell nicely for the Greek to drive high into the net, thus ending this game as a contest before the break. Kyziridis should have scored again moments later after spriting through on goal onto Lawrence Shankland's forward ball. The diving Gaston managed to divert the Hearts player's shot over his crossbar. Stirling tried to use the height of former Riccarton youngster Russell McLean in attack but he was well marshalled by the visiting centre-backs Halkett and Stuart Findlay. Borchgrevink departed at half-time, presumably through a knock, and McEntee moved to right-back for the second period. Gaston produced a fine save to deny Shankland from Braga's cross shortly after the restart as the procession towards Albion's goal continued. Hearts probed and pressed, their forwards caught offside several times due to overeagerness to get in behind. They eventually forced a fourth goal 10 minutes from the end. Halkett's header from substitute Yan Dhanda's corner was stopped by Gaston as he fell backwards and the bal appeared to cross the goal line. Findlay raced in to prod it home just in case but it looked like Halkett's goal. Stirling protested that their keeper had the ball in his hands and claimed a foul, but the goal stood. Substitute Elton Kabangu should have made it 5-0 but sent his header from Dhanda's cross over the bar despite being unmarked six yards out. Hearts had to make do with a final scoreline of 4-0, meaning the had scored 12 goals and conceded only one in their three Premier Sports Cup games so far. The same again on Wednesday against Dumbarton would guarantee that seeding. Here are the Hearts player ratings from Forthbank: 1 . GK: Zander Clark 6/10 Hardly touched the ball due to Hearts' dominance at the other end. | SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . RB: Christian Borchgrevink 5/10 Claimed an assist and got forward well, but gave the ball away cheaply at times when under no pressure. Replaced at half-time. | SNS Group Photo Sales 3 . RCB: Frankie Kent 9/10 A goal and two assists for a central defender is unusual, but Halkett strolled this match. | SNS Group Photo Sales 4 . LCB: Stuart Findlay 8/10 Comfortable beside Halkett and able to start attacks from the back. Scored his second Hearts goal in two games to round off a fine night's work. | SNS Group Photo Sales
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Wilsons downgrades HUB24 Limited (FSB) to a Hold
In a report released yesterday, Cameron Halkett from Wilsons downgraded HUB24 Limited to a Hold, with a price target of A$90.62. The company's shares closed last Monday at €52.00. Don't Miss TipRanks' Half-Year Sale Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. According to TipRanks, Halkett is a 3-star analyst with an average return of 4.9% and a 52.04% success rate. Halkett covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as Pinnacle Investment Management Group Limited, OFX Group Ltd., and HUB24 Limited. In addition to Wilsons, HUB24 Limited also received a Hold from Citi's Siraj Ahmed in a report issued on July 3. However, on July 4, UBS upgraded HUB24 Limited (Berlin: FSB) to a Buy. Based on HUB24 Limited's latest earnings release for the quarter ending December 31, the company reported a quarterly revenue of €193.38 million and a net profit of €33.16 million. In comparison, last year the company earned a revenue of €156.25 million and had a net profit of €21.53 million Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 7 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is positive on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders buying their shares of FSB in relation to earlier this year.
