Heart of Midlothian

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

Back-to-back wins and two clean sheets, Neil Critchley's wish at the Hogmanay bells seems to have come true.

I believe you can make statistics suit any narrative you wish. Like Jamie McCart winning 100% of his aerial duals v Dundee United (who cares that he only played three minutes?). But every time there's been a form of protest recently, Hearts have responded by being victorious.

So you have to say fair play to Critchley and his side for blocking out the pre-match noise and responding coolly and professionally on the pitch.

We have now opened an eight-point gap over bottom club St Johnstone, and despite being 11th, we're only four points off St Mirren in sixth.

Suddenly the mood music around the fanbase has changed. There's even people looking to catch Dundee United and Aberdeen for third spot. Madness.

As fate would have it, we are playing one of the sides whose form has nosedived since Critchball rolled into Scottish football, Aberdeen.

Our record up there is terrible. You have to go back over eight-and-a-half years for our last win. However, there's some belief we can extend the Dons' current winless run to 11 games.

I'd bite your hand off at a point now, though. I've seen this movie far too many times, where teams are struggling for form, Hearts roll into town, and the opposition turn into the equivalent of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.

McCart could make his first start and Belgian forward Elton Kabangu may feature but I hope we see the same starting 11 for the third consecutive match.

It's made a massive difference having a settled defence, while Jorge Grant and Liam Boyce have been great since coming into the team. Cynics will say their good form coincides with their contracts running down, but I think their experience has been what we've missed.

My predictions this season have been consistently wrong, so I'll try to continue that feat by saying that our winless record in the Granite City will continue…

Hearts fans, we asked what business you'd like to see the club do in January.

Here's what some of you said:

Sam: It's hard to see where to begin with Hearts. No player this season has really stood out as a steady, reliable player. Key positions to fill would be two strikers, attacking midfielders, and left and right-backs.

Jim: We need at least one dependable centre-back. At least two aggressive, attacking, creative midfielders and at least one attacking wide player and at least one striker assuming Lawrence Shankland remains and finds his form. We also need a new style of play, present style does not suit our current squad, so change it!

Anon: An intelligent midfielder. There is no point having strikers or other attackers up front if there is no one who can find the right way to get the ball to them. Having said that, there is definitely a need for some real strikers. James Wilson is doing the best he can, but he cannot do it all alone. There need to be multiple threats for one to get free.

Maca: It's clear Hearts need new players in several positions, a striker with pace who can score, two wide players with pace that can cross the ball and be able to track back. A midfielder to drive the side forward and dictate the games, a leader. Two centre-backs with pace that can defend crosses. Finally to build a side, surely Zander Clark should be number one.

Hearts midfielder Jorge Grant is unsure about his future at Tynecastle with his deal up at the end of the season (Edinburgh Evening News), external.

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip in full.

Craig Gordon: Had very little to do until the closing stages again, but the sign of a great goalkeeper is being able to suddenly pull off a vital save required to seal all three points. A big player for Hearts in the last two games as a bit of solidity starts to emerge throughout the team.

James Penrice: We always used to speak about Lawrence Shankland when we talked about Hearts. Now it's all about James Penrice. Again, magnificent down the left and at Tannadice he was also the match-winner.

Blair Spittal: Combined superbly with Penrice. A key player now for Hearts. Starting to look like the player who starred for Motherwell.

Hearts fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's victory over Dundee United.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Jim: Well a win's a win but our defence isn't good enough to hold onto a one goal lead. Glad to hear a couple of new faces are on the books, it's been woeful so far this season. Too many players are hiding just now.

David: Though our goals scored to shots on goal ratio is still poor, at least we're starting to grind our results. Signings so far are, at least on paper, very decent. Interesting that Lawrence Shankland is out at this time and the cynics could say he will be away this month. A concern is a massively overblown squad which will need surgery now and in the summer.

Kevin: Heart's put in a hard shift and battled for a deserved win. I'll say it - we have been a better all-round team since Shankland got injured. All are playing well with special mention to James Penrice and James Wilson. Also Liam Boyce's contribution can be understated. Would have been three out of three if not for two minutes of madness in Dingwall.

Chris: Better. We still lack composure in front of goal but due to defending better, we are not being punished for it. I wouldn't say we have turned a corner yet, as our luck was due to even out at some point, but it's much better. Boyce must have thought his time was up with us but he's been a beacon that's got us ticking. We keep going!

Steve: Three valuable points, Craig Halkett and Penrice were outstanding, We competed but still created little. Boyce is definitely not the answer. Adam Forrester's distribution and crossing were poor. This league is so inconsistent, if we can regularly start scoring goals we can quickly get into the top six. We could still get into Europe, need to get Zander Clark re-signed.

Kevo: Bottle, guts, strength - qualities that were missing have reappeared and results will follow.

Watch as James Penrice's sweetly-struck volley silences Tannadice.

Hearts' standout player of the season, the left-back's winner at in-form Dundee United moves the Tynecastle side eight points clear of the foot of the table.

Match report: Dundee Utd 0-1 Hearts

Available to UK users only

Image source, SNS

• Hearts are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 11 May 2024 to 3 August 2024, a run of four games.

• Hearts have scored in 17 of their 22 games, only Celtic (18) have scored goals in more matches in the Premiership this season.

• Hearts have scored in each of their last five games in the Premiership, scoring seven goals in that run.

Hearts get the better of Scottish Premiership rivals Dundee United at Tannadice (UK only).

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon was on the verge of leaving Hearts for St Johnstone last season as he found himself in a back-up role behind Zander Clark, according to Ryan McGowan, who played for both clubs. (The Herald - subscription), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

James Penrice's sweet second-half strike gave Hearts victory over Dundee United at Tannadice as they won back-to-back Scottish Premiership games for the first time this season.

Hearts had the better chances in a scrappy and frenetic game, and Penrice made sure they eventually got their reward on 73 minutes when he smashed the ball past Jack Walton.

Let us know your thoughts on Hearts' performance.

Image source, SNS

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "I thought we were excellent, we edged the game and deserved to win. I would have liked to have taken more control. In the first half we got into good areas without producing the final bit.

"In the second half I would've liked to see us pass the ball a bit better and control the game with possession. But it's a moment of quality from Penners - a fantastic volley and great strike.

"We have to try to improve the quality all over the pitch. In the last little bit, the final third, in the last couple of games, with more composure and quality 1-0 becomes 2-0.

"It's the first time we've had back-to-back league wins which gives us a lift and keeps us moving in the direction we want to. It's very tight in the league and we have to keep performing the way we did today."

On Kye Rowles potentially leaving this month, Critchley said: "We've been approached by another club and negotiations are taking place. Nothing's agreed at this moment in time so he is still our player and will remain our player until the valuation is met."

Critchley adds he hope to have new forward signing Elton Kabangu available for the Aberdeen game.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Since the low point of an Edinburgh derby defeat on Boxing Day, Hearts have improved and the combination of Penrice and Spittal down the left has been the key.

Those two - Penrice in particular - have been the shining lights in a gloomy season so far for the Edinburgh club, and again at Tannadice they combined more than any Hearts players.

It resulted in the pair of them putting in 17 of Hearts' 22 crosses, and Spittal was unlucky not to see his audacious free kick from 30 yards drop under the bar before Penrice struck.

The goal was taken with such conviction - in stark contrast to Boyce's miscued shot in the build-up - and it perfectly illustrated the confidence with which the 26-year-old is playing as he causes havoc down the left-hand side with his direct play and fearless attitude.

Back-to-back wins to start 2025 is much-needed for Critchley, and with new signings Jamie McCart and Elton Kabangu already in the door, things are starting to look more positive at Tynecastle.

Image source, SNS

Dundee United hope to have midfielder David Babunski back from illness.

But Louis Moult and Craig Sibbald remain out.

Hearts hope to have winger Elton Kabangu, who has signed from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, registered in time to be involved, while centre-half Jamie McCart has been signed from Rotherham United.

But captain Lawrence Shankland is facing several weeks out with a calf strain.

Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley, Calem Nieuwenhof and Gerald Taylor are still out injured.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon says is not daunted by Sunday's trip to Tannadice, the first time he will have played there since a sickening leg break in December 2022.

Gordon, 42, was sidelined for more than a year but has reclaimed his number one spot at Tynecastle this season from fellow Scotland international Zander Clark.

Neil Critchley's side are 11th in the Scottish Premiership, while Sunday's opponents Dundee United sit third after a magnificent start to the season.

For Gordon, the only focus is another three points after victory against Motherwell last time out.

"That'll be the first time going back [to Tannadice], but it's just a game of football," Gordon said.

"I've played there plenty more times other than that one game, so go there and try to get the three points to come back down the road.

"They're having a really good season, they're a good team. Jim Goodwin has put together a very solid unit up there and it's going to be a tough one, but we do feel that the positives have been there over the last few weeks, that we are starting to turn things around and we need to prove that.

"We need to go up there and and scrap for everything to try to get something."

Having suffered two serious injuries before his leg break at Tannadice, Gordon says still playing into his 40s is a "bonus", but did admit top-level football is starting to take its toll.

Gordon is under contract until the end of the season and insists he is not thinking beyond that point.

"This is definitely bonus years, bonus games at this stage of my career and I'm determined to do the best I can with them.

"I just want to get us out of this situation, that's the full focus.

"I'm fit enough. It's definitely getting harder, but I'm up to the challenge at the moment."

Image source, SNS

• After their 1-0 win in September, Dundee United could enjoy back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories over Hearts for the first time since March 2014.

• Heart of Midlothian have won just two of their last 12 away games against newly promoted opponents in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L8), although one of those was their most recent, beating Dundee 3-2 in February 2024.

• Dundee United have won each of their last three league games, last winning four in a row in the Scottish Premiership in December 2013 (run of five).

• Hearts have the fewest wins (one) and fewest points (five) away from home of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Against Dundee last time out, Sam Dalby became the first player to reach 10 goals in this season's Scottish Premiership.

• He's the first player to hit double figures in a season in the competition for Dundee United since Billy Mckay in 2015-16 (12).

Image source, SNS

Aidan Denholm's loan spell with Ross County has ended after the midfielder suffered an injury during the Dingwall side's Boxing Day win against Dundee.

The 21-year-old now returns to parent club Hearts to undergo rehab as he attempts to "return to action this season".

Denholm made 17 appearances in all competitions for County and contributed two assists.

Australia centre-half Kye Rowles is poised to agree a transfer from Hearts to DC United, with the deal for the 26-year-old worth £600,000 plus add-ons and a sell-on clause. (Not The Old Firm), external

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is out of contract this summer, says it is too early to be talking about extending his deal with Hearts as the 42-year-old stresses his priority is to help the club avoid relegation. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

We asked for your views on Hearts' 1-0 home win against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Steven: Craig Gordon is a complete oxymoron. Doesn't command his box, doesn't come for crosses, can't play sweeper keeper but for all his faults he is still amazing between the sticks. You will be pushed to see a better reaction save this season than his one at the end to save the points for Hearts. Absolutely incredible.

Chris: If not for a fantastic save from Gordon we would have left with a point after dominating another game. The lack of cutting edge is soul destroying and Scottish football will punish you for not taking your chances. Bit of luck we have been missing finally showed up. We are not down quite yet!

Steve: Grateful for three precious points, Motherwell were very poor, their manager stated 1-0 flattered them. James Penrice outstanding, but it's same old Hearts. Give them all the possession and hit them on the break. Gordon gets us out of jail in one of their rare attempts on goal, to save Neil Critchley's neck.

Anon: Much better. As at Ross County, the Liam Boyce and James Wilson combo looks promising and I've never seen Jorge Grant play that well. How they only scored once is a mystery but good to see Gordon's great saves at the end.

Kevin: Hearts played well as a team. Boyce offers more link-up to Wilson and Musa Drammeh. Grant looked good, as did Wilson, Musa, Blair Spittal, Cammy Devlin, Penrice and Gordon. Overall better but we still need to kill teams off and are still second bottom. I think we need quality and to ship a few players on.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Craig Gordon: Forty two years of age and answered recent criticism with a couple of outstanding saves to seal a crucial three points against Motherwell for Neil Critchley's side.

James Penrice: Another impressive display at both ends of the pitch from the marauding full-back. His total of eight dribbles was by far the most of any player on the pitch and he had the third most touches in the opposition box. His joint game high of five clearances showed he didn't shirk defensive duties.

Image source, Getty

Neil Critchley refused to confirm Hearts' move for Rotherham defender Jamie McCart, but is hopeful of adding to his squad before Sunday's trip to Dundee United.

Former St Johnstone centre-back McCarth, 27, has reportedly agreed a pre-contract, external with the Edinburgh club and could join this month if a deal can be struck with the English League One outfit.

Hearts are targeting defensive reinforcements after Frankie Kent and Stephen Kingsley suffered long-term injuries last month.

"Well, I'm not going to mention any names of players at other football clubs, because that would be wrong and I'm not going to speculate on other teams' players. But obviously we're in the market to try and strengthen in areas of the pitch that we need strengthening," head coach Critchley said.

"You've only got to look at our squad and work out the injuries that we've had and that's what we're in the market for."

The Tynecastle side have already signed striker Elton Kabangu on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise this month and recalled defender Lewis Neilson from St Johnstone.

Asked if he expected any further new additions in before Sunday's match at Tannadice, Critchley said: "Possibly, I don't want to say yes or no because I've been in this situation before and ended up with egg on my face.

"Sometimes things you think are straightforward end up being complicated and the ones that are complicated happen very quickly, so we'll see.

"There's only two days days before we play Dundee United, we're hopeful Elton will be registered for that game. Now, whether we get someone else in to be signed and registered before that game, it would be touch and go obviously just because of the time frame."

Watch the best of the action from Tynecastle as Hearts beat Motherwell 1-0 in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK users only)