'Police special powers for derby to remain in force' - gossippublished at 07:54 GMT 19 March
07:54 GMT 19 March
The special powers that Police Scotland officers were handed in a bid to prevent crowd trouble breaking out at the Edinburgh derby match at the start of this month and the Old Firm game last weekend are set to remain in use for the foreseeable future. (The Herald), external
'Good times on the pitch - but an own goal off it'published at 13:59 GMT 18 March
13:59 GMT 18 March
Greg Playfair Fan writer
It's fair to say 2025 has so far been a success for all those of a maroon persuasion with just two defeats in 13 games as we hit the first international break.
Cast your mind back to the Dingwall debacle - those two late goals at the end of December - and many of us felt Hearts were heading in one direction. And it wasn't up.
Given we now have at least one trip to Hampden to look forward to, and it is within our gift to finish the season in a European spot, it's quite the turnaround from the early narrative of our league campaign.
Neil Critchley has made a telling impact during his time in charge and if you look at the last 10 league games alone, we are joint top of the form table with Celtic and Rangers - 22 points gained from a possible 30.
Given that Aberdeen and Dundee United have only picked up nine and seven points respectively in that time, the aim should be to catch them and be at least fourth come the final whistle in May.
The fact Critchley has hauled us up to this position means he deserves enormous credit. With the help of Jamestown Analytics, he's really put his own stamp on the team with the January additions of Elton Kabangu, Michael Steinwender and Sander Kartum. Each have made vital contributions.
Critchley has been able to get consistency from players like Beni Baningime and Cammy Devlin, as well as building upon the foundations of promise from James Penrice and Blair Spittal.
Add in the trust he has placed in younger players such as new Scotland squad member James Wilson, Musa Drammeh and Adam Forrester and he's been repaid by all players with results on the pitch.
While 18-year-old Wilson is the embodiment of everything going right on the pitch for Hearts, off the field the club have scored an own goal this week.
Hearts are charging £48 per person for a bus from Tynecastle to Hampden for next month's Scottish Cup semi-final, in addition to a £30 match ticket.
All before season ticket holders get a chance to secure their seats. The club have seriously misjudged this.
Miller & Wilson not making up numbers - gossippublished at 08:57 GMT 18 March
08:57 GMT 18 March
Motherwell midfielder Miller and fellow 18-year-old James Wilson, the Hearts forward, are not merely in the Scotland squad to make up the numbers, says assistant coach John Carver. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Gordon praise for Wilson - gossippublished at 09:07 GMT 17 March
09:07 GMT 17 March
Veteran Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper Craig Gordon "can totally see" why "all-round forward" James Wilson is already in the Scotland squad. (The Scotsman)
Hearts feeling 'more confident' after County win, says goalkeeper Gordonpublished at 19:36 GMT 16 March
19:36 GMT 16 March
Image source, SNS
Craig Gordon says Hearts put "added pressure" on Saturday's victory over Ross County.
Neil Critchley's side moved into the top six with a 2-0 win over Don Cowie's men and with results elsewhere, moved them one point clear of Motherwell in seventh.
"We felt we had to win," the Hearts goalkeeper said.
"There's a lot of added pressure on that but we really felt we needed three points to get ourselves in there.
"There's not many games to go now so we need to keep winning and keep getting points on the board because I think all the other teams around there will do that as well
"I think we're playing better. We're playing better football. Probably a bit more confidence in the boys, especially going forward.
"I think that was our problem at the start of the season. I think we struggled to score many goals, but we created good chances and managed to put two of them away."
'Grateful for three points but another average display'published at 13:38 GMT 16 March
13:38 GMT 16 March
Hearts fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's victory over Ross County.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Alan: Hearts need to be prepared to win any way they can at times, it cannot always be pretty. We're moving right way under Neil Critchley, go easy on him and the team.
Anon: A good result against a team who have caused every team they play against problems. Hearts never played well but the win was all that mattered at this stage and it builds confidence within the squad. Naming players you don't like does absolutely no good, the manager and coaches select them all on merit so let's trust their choices.
Steve: Grateful for three points but another average display. Lawrence Shankland playing deep at the front makes no sense, he's short of pace. If he's selected he has to play up front and score goals. We desperately need a right-back, and pace in a static midfield. Not feeling confident about staying in the top six, which should be a given with the squad.
Peter: Such an important win. We can now afford to lose to Celtic and then win against Dundee United and Motherwell to remain in the top six. Not that we should settle for a loss at Parkhead, we have won there before.
Brian: A good result is better than a poor performance that's exactly what we got against a plucky Ross County. Not losing a goal is always a bonus. The Motherwell game just before the break could be massive in our quest for top six.
Chris: The work rate and skill of Beni Baningime cannot be understated, he is literally everywhere and is the main reason we won today. We badly need some of our strong defenders back. I thought the distribution, shape and communication of our back line was hard to watch at times and with the likes of Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley and Craig Halkett back we should secure top six.
Hearts 2-0 Ross County: Key statspublished at 12:38 GMT 16 March
12:38 GMT 16 March
Image source, SNS
Hearts have beaten Ross County for the first time in the Premiership since 30 September 2023, a run of four games without a win.
Hearts have scored in their last seven games in the Premiership, scoring 18 goals in that run, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of seven games from 21 September 2024 to 2 November 2024.
Elton Kabangu has scored six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hearts player.
Jorge Grant has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (two goals, one assist).
Ross County have failed to score in 12 of their 30 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Ross County have conceded nine goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (13) and St. Johnstone (10) have conceded more.
Ross County have conceded 17 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Last reported in the UK to be penniless and living aboard the rusted old hull of the K19 submarine, we have tracked down the Czar and interviewed him about his time at Hearts and his life.
This special bonus episode will be released on Saturday March 22nd.
Hearts 2-0 Ross County: Have your saypublished at 18:03 GMT 15 March
18:03 GMT 15 March
Hearts moved into the Scottish Premiership's top six after beating Ross County to dent the visitors' own hopes of finishing in the upper half of the division.
What did you make of the game, Hearts fans? A deserved win?
Who impressed you? And how confident are you of a top six finish?
Hearts 2-0 Ross County: What Critchley saidpublished at 18:02 GMT 15 March
18:02 GMT 15 March
Image source, SNS
Hearts' head coach Neil Critchley: "It's only natural [to get nervy] when it's 1-0 and the game is in the balance. We were in control for long periods, although Ross County made it difficult for us with basically 11 men behind the ball. It's not easy to break down, and they had a threat on the counter attack.
"It's important to score first and we did score a brilliant team goal, worked through the middle of the pitch. I don't think Craig has had a save to make in the whole game.
"The subs made a difference as well, and that's what we want - a competitive squad, all fighting for places.
"You need to have a balance between patience and making sure you're putting the opposition under threat. That's not always easy, especially when you're a team searching for identity.
"We're reliant on relationships on the pitch and a bit of cohesion, which takes time. We're working towards that. The first goal settled people down.
"It was something said at half-time - when was the last clean sheet? We've got to be hard to beat. We've not been conceding loads, but it's a good habit to have, clean sheets."
Hearts 2-0 Ross County: Analysispublished at 17:49 GMT 15 March
17:49 GMT 15 March
Brian McLauchlin BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNS
At this time of the year, results are more important than performances and this was certainly the case for Hearts.
Six months ago, there is every chance they would have dropped points in a game like this. but Neil Critchley is slowly but surely finding the key to winning matches.
This was only the second time Hearts have kept a clean sheet at home this year and, with key personnel missing at the back, this will have done their confidence the world of good.
They now have a break before heading to Celtic Park in two weeks time and are in the top six - they will want to stay there for the season run-in.