Heart of Midlothian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon says his Hearts side are "angry and disappointed" as they had two men sent off in their 2-1 defeat against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.

The Tynecastle club were reduced to 10 men in the first half when Michael Steinwender was shown a straight red card for hauling down Topi Keskinen.

Hearts managed to hold on until extra-time where Cammy Devlin was shown a second yellow card and Hearts had to play the remainder of the additional period with nine men.

"We're pretty angry and disappointed," the 42-year-old said.

"I thought we were doing well, we were going to take it to penalties and take our chances there.

"I felt that the boys in front of me were doing a great job. Anything that came through I managed to save. It looked like we were going to take it to penalties and give ourselves a chance.

"Unfortunately, the big moment comes from a second yellow card for Cammy to put us down to nine and we have to hang on from there.

"The second goal comes exactly from the position that Cammy had been defending on that left-hand side of midfield, dropping in front of the back five and the play straight through from where he would have been.

"I'm really disappointed that was a second yellow card and disappointed not to get the chance to take the penalties. I feel a little bit let down by that, but that's the situation, we can't change it.

"The referee's made his decision and everybody feels a bit let down by that one, but he's got that split second to make that decision. He felt that was a yellow card, we obviously didn't."

We asked for your views on Hearts' 2-1 defeat against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Same old at Hearts, against a poor Aberdeen side. Lots of possession, no goal threat. One shot on target with 11 men. The three strikers up front has never worked, two strikers off at half-time with two centre backs on. What shape is that? Especially when our slowest striker is left on, sheer lunacy. The first red card okay, the second was ridiculous. Now we're staring at a relegation fight. Neil Critchley and Andrew McKinlay have to go. When was the last manager with a winning record appointed at Hearts?

Tam: This game just summed up our entire season. The big moment fell to Aberdeen who took advantage of some horrific refereeing. I couldn't fault the effort of the Hearts players today, but in these tight games you sometimes need a touch of good luck and we have had none of that this season. So the rebuilding starts now and here's to a better season next time.

Peter: We were full of determination and no lack of effort. Poor judgement by Michael Steinwender cost us dearly - it's better to lose a goal than be down to 10 men. Cammy Devlin should not have been booked, had the opponent not put his leg in, Cammy strikes the ball, VAR should have intervened. Critchley made good decisions, no blame falls his way this time.

Michael: Inevitable baying for the manager's head will come, completely ignoring the fact that we had two points and were bottom of the league when he took over. We sacked Steven Naismith weeks into his new deal before Critchley, costing us a huge amount, and Critchley's contract runs until 2027. We can't waste money on sacking another manager with years left on their deal. He's had one transfer window to fix all of the problems we have, and it's not his fault that the team - third in the league in expected goals rankings - can't score goals. A pacey goal scorer is badly needed in the summer, as well as a halfway decent creative midfielder, and the eternal search for a right back continues.

Mark: A good game to watch with a lot of positives but in reality it sums our season up. It's time to rebuild and try a few different things for the remaining games of the season. Critchley has steadied the ship from the shambles he inherited but ultimately teams go through rough patches and that's what happened to Hearts this season. A few players to move on, possibly a change in coaching staff and a few good signings and we should be back on track. On the whole a disappointing season but onwards and upwards.

Alexander: I feel for Critchley but he was never the right appointment. He lacks charisma and a big game mentality. Hearts have the third biggest budget in the league. Could anyone honestly say we have the third best manager in the league?

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen had the bigger share of possession with 61 percent, compared to Hearts' 39 percent.

• The Dons had 18 shots, with four on target, while the Jambos attempted seven shots, and only had one on target.

• Goalkeeper Craig Gordon made three saves, compared to Dimitar Mitov, who didn't have to do much in the Aberdeen net.

• Seven cards were given in this match, with three yellows to Aberdeen, and two yellow cards and two red cards to Hearts.

"We're all behind him." Hearts midfielder Beni Baningime insists all the players at Tynecastle believe in head coach Neil Critchley as he bemoans a "strange season" following Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

Hearts suffered late Hampden heartache after Aberdeen scored a winner late into extra time in their Scottish Cup semi-final.

Were you there or watch live on BBC One Scotland? What did you make of the team's performance and the decisions to send off Hearts' Michael Steinwender and Cammy Devlin?

Have your say.

Image source, SNS

Neil Critchley gave a confident "yes" when asked if he will be given the time to steer his Hearts side to the "positive future" he envisages despite their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Aberdeen.

"It really hurts," the head coach told BBC Scotland. "Gutted for the players, gutted for the supporters.

"I thought we were brilliant in the game. We were the better team in the first half and then to defend as well as we did for as long as we did with 10 men, I thought we showed real grit and character, not without opportunities ourselves.

"The least we deserved was to take it to penalties."

Centre-half Michael Steinwender was sent off for a last-man challenge shortly before the break with the sides level at 1-1.

"The red card came out very quickly," Critchley said. "He was a long way from the goal."

Midfielder Cammy Devlin was shown a second yellow card shortly before Aberdeen's extra-time winner and Critchley again disagreed with referee John Beaton's decision.

"I have to be careful what I say regarding the referee's performance because I'll get into trouble," he said.

"In particular, the second one, which in my opinion has cost us the opportunity to go to penalties.

"He shouldn't have been booked for the first one - the [Aberdeen] player is offside. For the second one, he is in a position to clear it and he just gets in front of him.

"He [the referee] has to show a bit of understanding of the situation. They score straight after bedcause we can't cover the width of the box with another man down."

Hearts now must concentrate on staying clear of relegation trouble after missing out on a top-six finish last weekend.

"I am not concerned at all because I see what we've got in the dressing room," Critchley added. "We had a disappointment last week and my players go and produce a performance like that.

"We've got plenty to play for and the players know that. We are gutted right now, but we've got more than enough fight and character to be fine.

"I couldn't have been prouder of the players and the way they played the whole game. The supporters got right behind the team.

"I have seen enough of this group to be positive about the future."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Hearts have struggled this season to beat any of the best sides in the Scottish Premiership, so facing a side sitting fifth was always going to be a test of Neil Critchley's tactical guile in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.

The return of Shankland after two games on the bench, strike partner James Wilson from suspension and Cammy Devlin into midfield looked to have done the trick as they looked to beat the Dons for the first time in four meetings this season.

Aberdeen's pace was, though, always going to be a threat and so it proved when Michael Steinwender was forced to haul down Topi Keskinen and was shown a straight red card shortly before the break.

Critchley responded with a 5-3-1 formation similar to Rangers as their 10 men won the second half away to Aberdeen last weekend to come from two goals down to draw 2-2.

However, a lack of pace has been Hearts' Achilles heel this season and the lack of an outball proved crucial as Aberdeen's pressure eventually told and the Edinburgh side fell at the semi-final hurdle for a second season running.

Image source, SNS

The PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year has been revealed and James Penrice is one of only two non-Old Firm players to be included.

The defender joins Celtic's Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers as well as Rangers' John Souttar in the back four selected by their fellow players.

The left-back has scored two goals and set up four so far this term.

Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov, 25, is set to join Hearts on a pre-contract agreement, with documents ready to be processed within the next month. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

As the sides prepare to go head to head at Hampden this weekend, relive their previous Scottish Cup semi-final meeting as Hearts beat Aberdeen 2-1 in 1996.

(Available to UK users only)

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Is a lack of cutting edge the reason why Hearts are consigned to the Scottish Premiership's bottom six?

Earlier this week, head coach Neil Critchley told BBC Scotland that the team passing up opportunities had become a "recurring theme" of their season.

And chief executive Andrew McKinlay also pointed to the side's "inability to take our chances" in a club interview.

But what do the numbers say?

The Edinburgh club have the division's fourth-best expected goals tally but have only underperformed that slightly, scoring 43 goals from an xG total of 44.7.

However, if you dig a little deeper, the data backs up the view of Critchley and McKinlay.

According to Opta, only Celtic and Rangers have recorded more 'big chances' than Hearts (63).

But the Tynecastle side have only converted 33% of those opportunities - that is the worst in the league.

Critchley, having come in for intense criticism from some fans after missing out on a place in the top half, aims to win over doubters on Saturday when his team face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last four at Hampden.

Although disappointed at missing out on the top six, Critchley pointed out that his side's points return since he took charge is among the best in the Premiership.

Only Celtic, Rangers and Hibernian - the current top three - have collected more points than the 38 the Tynecastle club have taken in that 25-game period.

"We had two points after eight games," Critchley said. "Since I've been here, we've accumulated a lot of points.

"You could say in points per game, we'd be comfortably in the top six if I was here all season. But I wasn't and the reason I am is because of what happened [at the start of the season].

"I can only deal with the here and now and the group that's in front of me, and I think we've shown progress. The next step is for us to go and take a big step forward on Saturday and progress to the final."

Image source, SNS

Fourth round: Brechin City 1-4 Hearts (17 Jan)

While on paper it appeared a straightforward opening tie, the first half at Glebe Park proved to be anything but for Hearts.

Highland League Brechin took a surprise lead when Scott Bright launched a magnificent 35-yard strike into the net.

However, Yan Dhanda found the equaliser shortly before half-time to set up a far more comfortable second half as Kevin McHattie's own goal and Elton Kabangu's double booked the Jambos' spot in the next round.

Fifth round: St Mirren 1-1 Hearts (10 Feb)

Things didn't get easier for Neil Critchley's side in the next round as they were forced all the way to penalties by St Mirren.

Mikael Mandron gave the Buddies an early advantage in Paisley before substitute Calem Nieuwenhof scored with his first touch to take the tie to extra time.

Neither side could find a winner and veteran Hearts keeper Craig Gordon emerged as the shootout hero, saving two spot-kicks to help the visitors into the quarter-finals.

Quarter-finals: Hearts 3-1 Dundee (8 March)

January signing Sander Kartum lit up Tynecastle in Hearts' last-eight win.

The Norwegian midfielder bagged his first Hearts goal with a stunning 20-yard strike.

Joe Shaughnessy drew Tony Docherty's side level but team-mate Simon Murray headed into his own net to put Hearts back in front.

Kartum added another impressive goal, slicing a low shot through the Dundee defence and beyond goalkeeper Trevor Carson, as Hearts booked their spot in the semis against Aberdeen.

As he prepares for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen this weekend, Hearts striker Elton Kabangu tells BBC Scotland he spent 16 days in a coma after contracting Covid in 2022.

Read the full story here

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Frankie Kent insists Hearts are determined to rebound from their top-six miss by reaching the Scottish Cup final to put a "positive spin" on their season.

Neil Critchley's men, having been consigned to the bottom half after last weekend's draw at Motherwell, face Aberdeen at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semis on Saturday.

Kent says a win would ease some of the pain the supporters have endured in a disappointing league campaign.

"I wouldn't say it salvages it because we're expecting a lot from ourselves as a club and as individuals especially," he said.

"But it definitely puts a positive spin on it, in terms of something to look forward to, something for the fans to shout about and get excited about to hopefully get through to a final.

"Football moves quickly so you can't dwell on it too much. But everyone was gutted with how it went and how it turned out.

"But we've got a big game to look forward to and everyone's been up for that. And training has been really good this week. I feel like the boys have got a point to prove in terms of wanting to get the result and get through."

The 29-year-old defender returned to the squad last weekend after four months out with a quad injury and hopes to feature at Hampden.

"I'm experienced enough to be able to deal with these sorts of games," he added.

"And if I was put back in, then yes, I definitely feel like I'm ready. There are times to show bottle on a stage like this.

"I think we've shown, especially in my time here, that we can beat anyone.

"It's going to be a tough game on Saturday. There's no getting away from that. But I feel like we're in a good place in terms of now addressing what's happened."

Image source, SNS

Chief executive Andrew McKinlay says there is "no way to sugarcoat" Hearts' failure to reach the Scottish Premiership's top six.

McKinlay said he was "confident" the Tynecastle side would finish in the top half back in December, but Saturday's goalless draw at Motherwell allowed St Mirren to snatch the final spot.

That has prompted intense criticism from the Hearts support and McKinlay has issued an apology to the disgruntled fanbase.

"Like everyone else I'm absolutely gutted by it," the Hearts CEO said. "There's no way to sugarcoat it. It's really important I apologise to the fans.

"It's well below their expectations and our expectations as a club to be in the bottom six. I was ridiculed by some for saying I was confident we'd make top six. They can ridicule me now if they feel that's appropriate.

"As chief executive I take my share of the blame for that. We need to knuckle down and make sure we don't have a repeat of that in the future."

McKinlay pointed to the side's "inability to take our chances" and stressed the importance of improving the team's mindset.

Neil Critchley's men will be aiming to bounce back when they travel to Hampden on Saturday to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last four.

"We need to get a mentality into the team that they are up for these big games," McKinlay added. "We've got no bigger game than the one coming up at the weekend.

"It's a huge opportunity for the team to prove their doubters wrong and I sincerely hope they do that."

Meet Hearts fan Julia Connachan and her Aberdeen-supporting husband Keith. Which of the married couple will be smiling come full-time at Hampden on Saturday?

• Aberdeen have won eight and Hearts have won three of 13 meetings in the Scottish Cup.

• Hearts won their latest Scottish Cup meeting, Callum Paterson scoring the only goal in the fourth round at Tynecastle in January 2016.

• Aberdeen's latest Scottish Cup win over Hearts came by 2-0 in January 2010, when Darren Mackie and Lee Miller were the fourth-round scorers at Pittodrie.

• Hearts won 2-1 the last time the two sides met in a Scottish Cup semi-final, John Robertson opening the scoring, Duncan Shearer equalising for the Dons and Allan Johnston grabbing the winner in April 1996.

• Hearts won the latest knockout meeting between the sides, on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle in the League Cup in September 2019.

• Both sides lost in last season's semi-finals, Aberdeen to Celtic and Hearts to Rangers.

• Hearts' last semi-final win came against Hibernian in 2022, when the eight-time cup winners lost the final to Rangers.

• Hibs were also Aberdeen's opponents the last time the seven-time cup winners won a semi-final, going on to lose to Celtic in 2017.

• Aberdeen are unbeaten in three meetings with Hearts this season, drawing at TynecastLe and Pittodrie after a 3-2 home win in October.