Heart of Midlothian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Alexander Schwolow has been surprised by the "intensity" of the Scottish Premiership since the 33-year-old goalkeeper signed for Hearts this summer after leaving Union Berlin.

But the German will be hoping Saturday's derby with Hibernian goes more smoothly than the one he experienced playing for Schalke away to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga three years ago.

"Crazy, crazy game - 80,000 spectators in Dortmund," he said of the 1-0 defeat in the biggest derby of his career so far.

"The fans were blocking us to come into the stadium with our bus. Also, the police were not perfectly escorting us. It took ages.

"We just arrived, I think, 56 minutes before the game starts. It just changes your routine before the game."

Schwolow is relishing the prospect of another "special" derby experience and reckons the Scottish top flight is a better watch than his homeland's.

"I would say the Bundesliga, for example, is more tactical," he said. "But here it's just counter-attack after counter-attack.

"I'm very impressed how physically strong everybody is and how much they can run."

Schwolow faces additional competition for a starting place now that Scotland number one Craig Gordon is nearing fitness for the first time this season.

"We just try to push ourselves, push each other and I think competition makes you better in the long term," he said.

"I always had it in my career and I think that's a good thing."

As Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibs prepare to meet on Saturday for the first time this season, watch the best of the action from the previous derby last term as Jack Iredale's stunning strike secures a 2-1 home win at Easter Road. (Available to UK users only)

Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts warmed up for Saturday's Edinburgh derby against Hibernian with a 6-0 defeat of Falkirk in a closed doors game. (Sun), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media as Hearts prepare to face Edinburgh rivals Hibs this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Tynecastle boss:

• McInnes says it is "stupid" to suggest Hearts - who sit two points clear at the top - are title challengers after only six matches.

• He adds: "Our fight is with ourselves. We're not getting drawn into that. For us, the focus is on improving what wasn't good enough last season, and we need to keep working on that. The next game's difficult enough. We just need to try and win a derby which, regardless of form, is always huge. In derbies across the country, form usually goes out the window and it's all about the game itself."

• The derby comes too soon for Brazilian midfielder Ageu to return from a hamstring injury, but goalkeeper Craig Gordon could make the squad for the first time this season.

• McInnes confirms he spoke with Steve Clarke, who wanted reassurance about Gordon's fitness before recalling the 42-year-old goalkeeper to his Scotland squad.

• The Tynecastle boss says it has been a "stop-start" season so for for Gordon, who played 45 minutes of a bounce game on Tuesday, but the aim now is to "build up his training minutes and momentum".

• McInnes was "not surprised" by Lawrence Shankland's latest Scotland omission: "I had a brief chat with Lawrence this morning after my conversation with Steve yesterday. You'd need to ask Lawrence if he was surprised or expected it."

• McInnes adds that the "motivation" for Shankland is to be in the World Cup squad should Scotland qualify and the striker must not "lose sight of that".

• McInnes was delighted with the manner of the 3-0 win against Falkirk on Saturday, describing it as the performance he has "enjoyed most" this season.

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Steve Clarke is happy to call on the experience of Craig Gordon but the Scotland head coach does have longer-term concerns over his goalkeepers' lack of action.

Gordon, 42, has replaced Hearts team-mate Zander Clark for October's World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus at Hampden despite not playing since early May.

Angus Gunn kept clean sheets as the campaign opened with a draw in Denmark and an away win over Belarus but is yet to debut for Nottingham Forest since his summer move.

The third keeper in the squad, Liam Kelly, has had one outing for Rangers in the League Cup this term.

"I've spoken to the people I need to speak to about Craig, they're telling me he's fully fit," said Clarke. "He's the most experienced in terms of caps that I've got, so it just felt like the right thing to bring him back.

"It's obviously very important that you trust your players and it's important that the players trust me. I think I've got a good relationship with all my players, but Craig in particular."

Cieran Slicker, currently on loan at Barnet, and Ross Doohan, third choice at Celtic, featured in the June friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein.

"I think with the goalkeepers it's probably still a bit of an issue," said Clarke.

"But it's less than three weeks since the last camp, so not such a big issue in the September, October, November camps," he said.

"I think the issue comes between November and March. Obviously in that time there is a transfer window and you never know what's going to happen."

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been recalled to the Scotland squad despite having not made a first-team appearance in five months.

Gordon is back in Steve Clarke's set-up for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Greece and Belarus this month.

The 42-year-old, who is yet to feature in a Hearts squad this season as he returns to full fitness after a neck injury, replaces club-mate Zander Clark.

There is again no place for Tynecastle striker Lawrence Shankland, who has netted seven goals this season.

Read more: Gordon returns for Scotland double-header

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As Celtic struggle in attack and Rangers struggle full stop, questions continue to be raised about whether rampant Hearts can split the Old Firm this season.

Derek McInnes' side secured their fifth Premiership win on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Falkirk, while Celtic dropped points for the second time this season in a goalless draw with Hibernian and Rangers finally took their first win at the sixth attempt.

The Tynecastle club now top the table two points clear of Celtic and nine points ahead of Rangers, who they beat 2-0 at Ibrox earlier this month.

Hearts investor Tony Bloom is adamant the Edinburgh side have a shot of finishing "at least second" and The Herald's Stephen McGowan agrees, saying they should be "fancying their chances."

"I spent an hour with Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay on Friday morning and obviously I was desperately trying to get him to commit to that [becoming realistic title challengers]. But unlike Tony Bloom, he's a bit reluctant," Scottish football writer McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"You can understand that because at this stage, it's only six games gone and it's a 'loose lips sink ships' type ethos.

"There's a feeling among people at Hearts that the time to judge will be after the second round of fixtures when all the teams have played each other both home and away, because then you'll know where you stand and whether it is really a genuine title challenge.

"They're reluctant to say anything that will get pinned up in the dressing walls at Celtic and Rangers at the moment.

"But I think looking at where Rangers and Celtic are and the kind of inner turmoil that seems to be gripping them, Hearts should be fancying their chances.

"It might be too soon for them but they're assembling a good squad, they're in a good place and they should be feeling good about themselves.

"Tony Bloom has been clear in his ambitions. He said he'd be disappointed if they don't get second and disrupt the Old Firm."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hearts went top of the Scottish Premiership with their 3-0 win over Falkirk and have three players in my team of the week.

Craig Halkett is a steadfast performer at the back for Hearts and someone Derek McInnes can rely on to set the foundation for the Jambos. His goal was the icing on the cake for Hearts on Saturday.

Alexandros Kyziridis scored a magnificent goal. If this had been scored in the English Premier League or La Liga by a household name we would be seeing and hearing about it for years.

A majestic piece of football from the moment he first touched the ball to the moment the ball found the top corner.

If this isn't goal of the season then I'm thoroughly looking forward to whatever beats it.

On another day, Lawrence Shankland's thunderous strike would have got even more kudos. The strike from Kyziridis slightly overshadowed it but the nature of the strike from the Hearts skipper underlined how the real Shankland is well and truly back.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Hearts' 3-0 win over Falkirk, which took them to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Watch all the highlights as Hearts moved top of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-0 win over Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Lawrence Shankland says he was unaware he was on the brink of becoming the SPFL's all-time leading goalscorer until just last week.

The Hearts striker's goal in their 3-0 win against Falkirk on Saturday was his 163rd since the league's formation in 2013, moving him one clear of Rory McAllister at the top of the chart.

"Somebody sent me a photo last week saying I'd equalled it or something," Shankland said.

"It's always nice to get a bit of recognition with these records. It's a reflection of my whole career really. I've spent a lot of time in the SPFL leagues. It's obviously a good number of goals, and I'm always happy to see records like that."

Shankland, who first found the net in the SPFL as a teenager in 2013, admitted the milestone brought back memories of his early days in the game.

"I was such a young kid when I scored my first goal," the 30-year-old added.

"I think I was 16 at the time. Obviously, I kicked on from there, so that's nice."

Shankland's seven goals so far this season have helped propel Hearts to the top of the Scottish Premiership, and the 30-year-old believes the team's form is no surprise.

"There's a positive feel about us," he said.

"Even in the League Cup campaign, we started well and took confidence from that. We've started the league the way we wanted to, with a good amount of wins and points. We just need to keep doing what we're doing. The work rate and attitude we've shown are what's winning us games."

The striker credited the summer arrivals of players like Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga with adding an extra spark to the squad.

"It's just freshness," the striker said.

"New attributes, quality, and pace. You saw Kyziridis score a cracker on Saturday. We've added that throughout the squad and even have strong options off the bench.

"Training has been really positive, and even boys missing out on the squad are pushing hard. That strength in depth is vital."

We asked for your views on Hearts' 3-0 win against Falkirk.

Here's what some of you said:

Mikey: A treat of a performance from Hearts. Solid at the back and venomous going forward. Bring on the Hibs next weekend!

Paul: Fantastic performance and good goals from the team. All we can do is keep on improving and keep on winning. With the depth of squad we have now hopefully injuries, which are inevitable, don't hamper us. Roll on the derby and let natural order resume.

Steven: A very accomplished, all-round performance from Hearts, against a Falkirk side that were very unlucky not to win against Hibs midweek. The 3-0 defeat against Hearts flattered Falkirk and hopefully Hearts will similarly acquit themselves for our next home game, whoever that is.

Jim: I have to say I am getting a little bit excited about Hearts after that match. There is a fluidity to their movements and a growing confidence throughout the team. They are exciting to watch and the new signings are adding a different dimension to our play particularly up front. The next two matches will firm up in most Hearts fans' minds whether we can be considered genuine league challengers but I am beginning to think maybe we will not have to wait ten years for the title to return to Tynecastle.

Fiona: Outstanding! Can we keep it going though? Our next two games will show whether we have the fight or not! But we Jambos are going to enjoy this! Watch out the Jambos are coming.

Chris: Expectation met reality. I was confident going into the game and we didn't care what Falkirk did, we played our own game and it was a very enjoyable match. Individual skills combine to make a very cohesive football team and we were deserved winners with a goal of the season chucked in for good measure. Bring on Hibs!

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Hearts boss Derek McInnes isn't getting carried away with his side's strong start to the season and claims they "haven't earned the right" to be considered title contenders.

The Tynecastle club are two points ahead of Celtic at the top of the Premiership table following their 3-0 win over Falkirk while the Glasgow side were held in a goalless draw at home to Hibernian.

But McInnes refused to get carried away and acknowledged how much work there is to be done before the end of the season.

"Nobody [outwith Hearts], I don't think, genuinely believes we can mount a challenge," the 54-year-old said.

"Nobody for us, on the playing side of it, from the staff, are saying we're going to do this and that, and neither we should.

"We've not earned the right to do that. We've earned the right to feel good about ourselves through working hard. I think we're giving everybody a bit of encouragement and long may that continue.

"Football's tough, it's not easy getting into this place. For players to be playing as well, to be as confident, to get the place as vibrant as that, it takes a lot of hard work.

"I want us to try and stay up at the top end of the table for as long as we can. Of course we do, who wouldn't? But once we're round the first two rounds of fixtures, I think that's when managers, supporters, players can normally get a sense of where they're at."

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Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay believes his club could win the Scottish Premiership "at some point". (Herald - subscription required), external

Celtic captain Callum McGregor plays down Hearts' promising start to the season after the Tynecastle side moved two points above the defending champions at the top of the Premiership, saying: "Anyone can get off to a good start. Aberdeen did it last year." (Record), external

McGregor suggests the table will be more relevant after 36 games rather than six. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Rampant Hearts moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership with a dominant win over a listless Falkirk at a raucous Tynecastle, as Lawrence Shankland became the SPFL's record goalscorer.

Read the full match report here.

Give us your thoughts on the game here.

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes tells BBC Sport Scotland: "Yeah, I said at half time, if it was 90 minutes and we were being so strong and so dominant, we'd be really pleased with that, but we're only 45 minutes in, well aware of the spirit that Falkirk have, a team who are used to winning.

"The mentality of the team was strong in the second half, I thought we started like a train again, pounced on the mistakes, upset their rhythm totally, and we got a really powerful goal from [Craig] Halkett.

"We had good chances after that, a combination of some brilliant goalkeeping from Scott Bain, I thought he was terrific today, and us maybe just not making the right choice allowed the game to stay at 3-0, but a clean sheet, brilliant, some strong performances.

"You have to deal with teams, every game is tough, Falkirk are a good side.

"It was the type of performance that I was kind of hoping for more often, particularly here at Tynecastle.

"He's [Shankland] been a consistent performer for a long time, he's been a brilliant performer for the club, it was so important we could keep him."

Hearts fans have adapted Queen's Radio Ga Ga to include Claudio Braga's name in the chorus, and the forward is enjoying the adulation. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip