Latest news with #NeilCritchley
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Will Hearts get old Shankland back this season?
Now the ink has dried on Lawrence Shankland's new three-year contract at Hearts, fas might be wondering what version of the striker they are going to it be the lethal striker of a couple of seasons ago? Or the one who toiled last term, scoring sparsely and even falling out of the team at times?Regardless, the Hearts support seems overjoyed at his retention, given the increasingly likely prospect that he would leave and have to be just eight Premiership goals last term - four of which came in May as his deal ran down - it was a shadow of the return the Scotland international delivered in his previous two seasons. Each of those league campaigns yielded 24 goals and exhibited the sort of strike-rate that had Derek McInnes desperate to re-sign he Scotland which version of Shankland are we likely to see this campaign? What went wrong last season? Under previous head coach Neil Critchley, it just wasn't clicking. Shankland was withdraw from the area he threatens in most too often and was played expected goals per league fixture dropped to 0.3 from 0.5 and 0.7 in the previous shots on target fell to 30 after averaging just over 50 in the two previous campaigns, although his minutes on the pitch were fewer. Assists doubled but his overall impact was considerably reduced. "Last season was difficult," Shankland conceded, speaking to the media on Wednesday for the first time since re-signing. "It can be tough mentally at times."That was a whole group thing but, as the captain, you take a bit of responsibility and it can go on your shoulders a bit."We had to draw a line under that. Then it was down to making a decision that was best for me and my future." Why was McInnes so keen to keep him? There was no doubt McInnes was desperate to secure Shankland, but why?Working with him as a youngster at Aberdeen would have helped but also being in the receiving end of his talents would likely have played a part."To get somebody with Lawrence's pedigree that almost guarantees you goals, who is a free agent, is nigh-near impossible," McInnes explained."He brings the experience, the composure, the touch, the leadership qualities, but we're signing him because he knows his way to goal, he knows the league, and I think we've got a better chance of meeting the demands with Lawrence here."We've got others [strikers] who've got so many other attributes, but in terms of natural finishers, we're not blessed with too many. "For that reason alone it was so important we got Lawrence." Century of goals & silverware new target Conversations with McInnes have convinced Shankland that his strengths will be played to and he will be provided chances to re-discover his scoring asked on Wednesday if he'd expect to be pushing towards the 25-30 goal mark next term, the 29-year-old was unequivocal. "I would be, aye," his immediate response. "The two seasons before last, I proved that in that sort of team, I can be successful and I can score a lot of goals. "I do believe that coming here this season has been the right thing for me and I can believe I can re-find that form."With his future sorted, what ambitions does the former Dundee United, Aberdeen and Ayr United striker hold for the next three seasons?Former Hearts head coach Steven Naismith told BBC Scotland that Shankland has elevated himself to legendary status at the club having committed his objectives to cement that seem to be the striker's focus."Scoring 100 goals [for the club] is something that I think is achievable for me," Shankland said. "More importantly, we need to try and get our hands on a trophy. "When I first came to Hearts three years ago, that was something that I had ambitions to do. "It's not easy but if we can go and win a trophy and put your name in amongst those names, it always helps."
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Shankland & Bloom deals show Hearts mean business'
So, after 18 months of 'will he or will he not' sign a new deal, Lawrence Shankland has - finally - agreed to remain at it's the news every Hearts fan was looking for. Their talisman striker and captain is back to lead the line for the new his own high standards, last season was a major disappointment for the 29-year-old. Only nine goals in total for the season, but five of those came very late constant media questioning on whether he would leave the club must have been lingering on his mind and had an impact on his the close-season, however, Shankland has had time to think. In between getting married and a short holiday, it became evident his family made it clear they wanted to remain in Scotland with Tynecastle by far the preferred those 18 months, he has played under three different managers with Steven Naismith and Neil Critchley both shown the door with Liam Fox, who has also left the club, standing in as interim head coach in these cannot be overstated the influence Derek McInnes has had in making this deal happen. From the minute he stepped in the door at Tynecastle, re-signing Shankland was the top priority for the new Shankland is on form there are few, if any, better strikers in Scotland and this news, along with the Tony Bloom deal being concluded last week is an indication that Hearts mean the Hearts fans will once again turn out at Tynecastle, probably now with more expectation than hope, that the new season will be a successful one.
Scotsman
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
When the summer transfer window opens and shuts: All Hearts and Hibs fans must know
All you need to know as the summer transfer window opens for business. Sign up to our daily 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... A potentially pivotal summer transfer window lies in wait for Hearts and Hibs as they look to boost their squad throughout the coming weeks and months. For Hearts, the focus will go on ensuring new head coach Derek McInnes has a squad capable of improving on an underwhelming performance last season as they missed out on a place in the top half of the Premiership table under former manager Neil Critchley. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs enjoyed a remarkable campaign and they will hope to enjoy a successful summer transfer window as David Gray prepares his ranks for their return to the Europa League after they secured a third place finish in the Premiership. So when can both Edinburgh clubs and their rivals across the Premiership kickstart their summer recruitment? We take a look at all of the information you require on the summer transfer window and explain why there is something unique about the latest transfer window. When does the Scottish Premiership transfer window open 2025/26? This is a somewhat unique summer transfer window as it is split over two separate windows for the first time. The first window opened for business on Sunday and will remain open until Tuesday, June 10. This has been termed as an 'exceptional registration period' to allow clubs taking part in the new-look FIFA Club World Cup to add to their squads ahead of the tournament. The second part of the summer transfer window will reopen on Monday, June 16. When does the FIFA Club World Cup take place? The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup takes place in the United States | Getty Images The initial window was put in place to allow the 32 clubs competing in the United States to sign and register players and have them available for selection for the tournament, which will run between Saturday, June 14 and Friday, July 13. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When does the transfer window close? When is transfer deadline day? The second part of the summer transfer window will open on Monday, June 16. It will remain open for business until Monday, September 1. However, there is a change to the time when the window will close as business must be concluded by 7pm, rather than the usual 11pm deadline. Can clubs be granted more time to secure deals? Yes! Should a deal be agreed by clubs with the 7pm deadline approaching, a 'deal sheet' can be submitted to the Scottish FA and that will allow both clubs an additional two hours to complete the paperwork that is required to officially complete the deal. Clubs can sign players after the transfer deadline if they are classed as a free agent and are without a club. It is also possible to sign a player in an emergency deal if it is authorised by the league. This can happen when a club loses several goalkeepers to injury, suspension or unavailability. Your next football read: Scottish Premiership title odds as Hearts handed major backing and Hibs draw level with Aberdeen chances
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Fascinating summer awaits with McInnes at helm
Now the final whistle has blown on a calamitous campaign for Hearts, the focus has to be on ensuring there is no repeat of those mistakes next all started brightly with an excellent performance, but no win, against Rangers on the opening as soon as the following weekend - and the shocking first-half performance at Dens Park - it became evident this season would be far from plain was followed up by a League Cup exit to Falkirk amid a run of eight straight losses to led to Steven Naismith being shown the Critchley made a promising start with wins over St Mirren and Omonia Nicosia in the Conference League. The future looked bright, but the wheels came off again soon win in nine followed along with an exit from Europe after failure to dispose of Moldovans Petrocub at after stumbling to the split with one win in five, a bottom-six finish plus defeat in the Scottish Cup semi-final to Aberdeen meant Critchley's time was have to be learned from the mistakes made, not just this season but over the past two or three Derek McInnes, Hearts now have a man who knows the league inside out and, probably more importantly, knows what Hearts are all about having come up against them on many looked genuinely excited at the prospect of working with Jamestown Analytics. And despite many cynics still trying to figure out how it works, McInnes says he plans to use the tool to its fullest, with the first evidence the pre-contract signing of Greek winger Alexandros summer at Tynecastle will be fascinating and with new investment on the horizon from Tony Bloom, the expectation from fans will be even greater.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shankland offered new deal as three signings close
Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay has admitted the Edinburgh club "got it wrong" when appointing Neil Critchley as head coach and has revealed that a new contract offer has been made to 29-year-old striker Lawrence Shankland. (Sky Sports) Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones says contract discussions with Lawrence Shankland will have a cut-off point but says they are ongoing and he is still hopeful they will be able to retain the club captain. (Edinburgh Evening News) Hearts are close to signing Alexandros Kyziridis, the 24-year-old Greek winger who is out of contract this summer with Zemplin Michalovce, hope to agree a deal for 25-year-old Kazakhstan forward Islam Chesnokov before his contract with Tobol ends in October, while Belgian striker Elton Kabangu's loan move from Union Saint-Gilloise is set to be made permanent for a fee in the region of £250,000. (Edinburgh Evening News) Sporting director Graeme Jones says he and Derek McInnes will add the "human" element of decision making over new signings to make sure any players earmarked by the Jamestown Analytics talent scouting system fit the new head coach's style of play. (Daily Record) Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
