Heart of Midlothian

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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."

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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

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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."

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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.

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Hearts striker James Wilson has signed a new contract with the club, keeping him at Tynecastle until at least 2027.

Wilson, 18, has established himself in the first team this season - scoring six goals - and was rewarded with a Scotland debut last month against Greece.

It is his second contract renewal of the season, having previously agreed terms until the summer of 2026 in December and Hearts say there are "potential extensions" included in his latest deal.

Fellow academy graduate Adam Forrester has also committed his future to Hearts, signing a new deal until 2028.

"It's great news that both James and Adam have committed their futures to the club," head coach Neil Critchley said.

"They have both contributed massively to the first team in their debut seasons and with more important games to come, we're confident that their attitude towards learning and their desire to improve means that they have a big future at the club.

"It's important to remember that neither are the finished article yet. They are young players who will continue to develop and the experiences they've encountered this season will be invaluable to their growth as first-team players.

"We're very proud to see two Hearts academy graduates rewarded with fully merited new contracts and great deal of credit goes to our academy staff.

"We look forward to watching them pull on the maroon shirt in the months and years ahead."

Could Lawrence Shankland rewrite the script of his season and propel Hearts to the Scottish Cup final?

Club legend John Robertson says he wouldn't be surprised if the captain, who hasn't been a guaranteed starter recently, pops up with the winner in their semi-final with Aberdeen on Saturday.

Shankland has only scored four goals in 38 appearances so far this season, a disappointing return after his remarkable free-scoring campaign last year.

"It's just one of these things. You keep trying, you keep going back, you know it's going to come again," Robertson said of the 29-year-old's form.

"I genuinely believe Lawrence has got the personality about him that this is the type of game he could well go and get.

"Would I be surprised if he got the winner on Saturday? Absolutely not.

"He'll go on again Saturday believing he'll be the difference between the two teams, that he'll be the man that scores the winning goal.

"There's an opportunity for him. He could be the next Hearts captain to lift the Scottish Cup."

When asked if he would name the Scotland striker in the starting XI at Hampden, Robertson answered: "Yes, absolutely".

Hearts are set to appoint Laurie Ellis, who is lead coach with Rangers' under-15 and under-16 teams, as their new head of academy. (Daily Record), external

Football fans heading to this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden Park have been handed a timely travel boost, with ScotRail confirming additional trains and extra seats to help supporters get to and from the national stadium. (The Herald), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Oriam

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley sat down with BBC Scotland before Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, live on the BBC.

Here are some of the key questions and crucial answers:

How have the last couple of days been for you after the disappointment at Motherwell?

"Yeah, tough. You can't lie. After not winning the game and setting out what we wanted to do. You play that game over in your head and you watch it back and you go through all the possible scenarios of what you could have done and should have done better and we have to accept responsibility for that as a group, myself included.

"But then you have to quickly move on. That's this job, that's this industry. You have to overcome disappointment. It was a disappointment, but we have to keep looking forward and moving forward because we've got a big game coming up this weekend."

The fans are angry about what happened at the weekend. Who should that anger and frustration be pointed at?

"I think it's always a collective. I'd rather them point it at me than the players, if I'm honest. After any game where you don't get the result that you want then there's going to be obvious anger, disappointment and frustration.

"That's totally understandable and I'd never criticise the supporters for that because we all feel that.

"But again, I have to keep a sense of perspective on things. I have to be balanced and rational in my thinking and believe in what we're doing and I've seen signs of progress.

"I've seen a team that's honest and hard-working and is willing to fight on the pitch. Sometimes it's just fine margins. That little bit of a chance going your way or a bit of luck that can change the course of a game or your future.

"We've been very nearly there in the last couple of games and we didn't, and that's on us. With that comes anger, frustration and the supporters have a right and an opinion to say what they feel."

Fans I've spoken to are struggling to understand as to why in so many big games -Petrocub, Hibs, Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell - they can't get over the line. Why is that and how can you get the team over the line? Are the players here to do that?

"I think that's a fair question. What I would say again to that is, it's your definition of a big game and I understand some games are bigger than others and more important, but when we first came in, I'd say every game was important.

"We were playing catch-up and we had to win games straight away and we've done that. So, I think in lots of those games as well we've deserved more and that's an easy thing to say. But I think there's evidence to suggest that would be the case and in lots of those games we've missed big chances.

"We've created chances and missed and that's been a recurring theme. That's been an issue because goals change games and in lots of those games we've been chasing rather than leading the game. I think that's psychologically, that's weighed on us a little bit and that's something for us to work on and a problem for us to solve in the future."

Have you been to Hampden before?

"Only a couple of weeks ago. To have a look around, it was my first time.

"It was obviously empty on the day, just to get a feel for it. It's something special about the stadium. It's an iconic stadium. It was obviously no one there on the day. Quite strange. Quite therapeutic standing there with nobody there.

"But you visualise and picture what it might be like on Saturday. I know we've got an incredible support going. Hopefully we can do them proud and give them a performance and a win that they deserve."

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

If you were to ask Neil Critchley his favourite James Bond film, I'd be astonished if it was anything other than Diamonds Are Forever given his fixation for that shape in midfield.

Last Saturday's performance at Motherwell was a drab affair and we got out of it what we deserved.

A point means we drop back down into the bottom half of the league and given we have been there for 30 of 33 matchdays, it always had a good chance of happening.

The diamond formation favoured by Critchley has not worked for us and has not benefitted a single player.

James Penrice and Blair Spittal have gone off the boil and it has forced Elton Kabangu wide and away from goal.

We had to pick up one win from either Dundee United at home or Motherwell away, not teams Hearts should be fearing, but it was a meek showing in both games, devoid of attacking intent.

I do not want to get into this never-ending cycle of changing the head coach, but the fanbase's opinion seems to be set on this. If Critchley manages to beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Saturday, then he prolongs his stay until the final. Even then, fans would be fearing the worst given his record in big games thus far.

Critchley hasn't been helped with the performances of members of his first-team squad this season, with Lawrence Shankland's rapid decline in form a mystery to many.

We have also had key players out for months at a time, including Frankie Kent, Craig Halkett, Steven Kingsley and Calem Nieuwenhof.

There's a real malaise and resignation within the Hearts support that this season is as good as done.

If there's a diamond lining up in midfield at Hampden then I imagine those in Glasgow pubs and bowling clubs will head to the national stadium with dread as we prepare to face an Aberdeen side dominant in wide areas.

We will go into the game with the expectation to be let down, which is a sad indictment of Hearts at the moment and encapsulates this season up perfectly.