Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Adam Bowen
Hearts hosted Motherwell in a massive game as both teams looked to get back to winning ways.
It was Motherwell who had most of the ball in the first 10 minutes of the game however they suffered a big scare as Braga dispossessed the Motherwell keeper in the box but luckily for them Braga’s pass across goal was cleared away.
However, it was Motherwell who opened the scoring after a great low cross from Maswanhise found Fadinger following a brilliant run into the box however his contact was poor. But he got away with it as the ball followed through to the back post where Longelo slotted the ball home with 50 minutes on the clock.
It didn’t take Hearts long to get one back thanks to a great corner to the back post where Findlay headed it into a dangerous area where Braga’s overhead kick (he pretty much fell back and put his leg up) ended up in the back of the net.
Then around the 75th minute mark Motherwell missed a massive chance. Maswanhise received the ball in the middle of the pitch before driving forward into acres of space making his way into the box where his fake shot sent McEntee sliding along the floor. With so much time and space with just the keeper to beat he composed himself, however he dragged the shot wide missing a really good opportunity which could have completely changed the outcome of the game. He knew how much of a chance it was as he lay on the ground in disappointment.
Kabore went up for a header and as he fell down to the ground he managed to head the ball before the Motherwell defender, Stephen Welsh, kicked him in the back of the head instead of the ball. The referee didn’t give it on field but following a lengthy VAR review a penalty was awarded. Tynecastle was silent as Shankland took the penalty drilling the ball into the bottom left corner clipping the post on its way in.
After winning the penalty, once again it was super sub Kabore who received the ball on the halfway line during the 6 minutes of additional time driving forward making it to the box before cutting slightly out to get a better angle on the shot, ultimately shooting low under Ward’s dive making it 3-1 to Hearts and sending Tynecastle into complete joy.
The fans were in loud voice for the remaining minutes with McInnes even pumping his arms in the air in time with the chant ‘we shall not be moved.’
It was another title winning performance from Hearts, getting across the line in a tough game against an extremely good side. Although Motherwell goes home empty handed, they will still be happy with the performance and opportunities they made away from home against the league leaders.
When McInnes was reflecting on the game he said that Hearts were ‘under the cosh’ however he still felt ‘calm’ and believed Hearts would find a goal. Regarding the penalty he said that he hadn’t seen it back yet, but a couple of the Motherwell players said to him that it was a penalty. Shankland also commented saying it was a stonewaller. He was also asked about McEntee’s injury saying that it is his hamstring and he will be a doubt for the first game post-split at Easter Road.
Finally, he touched on the atmosphere at Tynecastle saying that he ‘loves’ it, describing it as brilliant.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou was ‘really proud’ of his sides performance although he was ‘extremely disappointed’ with the missed chances, ultimately saying that the scoreboard should have been the other way with all the chances they had today. He also touched on the Tynecastle atmosphere saying that it really spurs Hearts on. In terms of the penalty, he believed that it was ‘very soft.’
That being the last game before the split means Motherwell go into their final five games in 4th place, three points above Hibs. Hearts continue their reign at the top of the table three points above Celtic and four ahead of Rangers. However, Rangers play Falkirk so four could become one.
Before the game a minute's applause was held for former Hibs midfielder Alex Cropley.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
Felix Passlack starred with a goal and assist as Hibs secured a 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday and extended their unbeaten run to six games.
The German arrived at Easter Road in January with a strong pedigree after spells with Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund, and after eight games, he has impressed with his quality and consistency.
Saturday’s win was a significant step in Hibs’ hunt for a European spot. Combined with Motherwell’s defeat, they now sit only three points adrift with one game remaining before the split.
While much of the mainstream media attention has been focused on those above them, Hibs have quietly closed the gap. They are unbeaten in their last six, whereas Motherwell have managed only two wins in the same period, alongside three defeats – doubling their total number of losses for the season.
Passlack made it clear that catching Motherwell remains the squad’s primary objective as they build momentum towards the later stages of the season.
‘That’s the target to catch Motherwell, hopefully we get to play them at Easter Road, it’s important that we stick to our plan in the next 6 games so we can achieve something special.
‘We are now 6 games unbeaten, three clean sheets in a row, so of course the team is gaining a lot of confidence and we see it on the pitch.’
Having featured in the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund and Europa League with Hoffenheim he provides valuable European experience – a potential asset in the run-in.
He also praised the impact of fellow January additions Owen Elding, Ante Suto and Kai Andrews.
‘I mean we signed a lot of young lads like Owen, Ante and Kai, they bring some fresh energy into the squad and I think you can see it on the pitch. Owen scored and Ante scored, so they will be important for the team.’
Saturday’s win saw three January signings on the scoresheet. Passlack’s marauding run through the Killie defence set up Owen Elding to score just 13 seconds after kick off – the fastest goal in the Premiership this season.
Provider on the first, Passlack found the net himself shortly after. He tapped home Jordan Obita’s cross – albeit with some hesitation.
‘Jordan made a really good run and I was just lucky that I arrived at the perfect and I was hoping that Jordan saw me — and I nearly missed it, by the way.’
Forward- thinking wing-backs have been a staple of David Gray’s tenure, a role Passlack is relishing.
‘That’s what the gaffer wants to see, that I’m in the box and always in at the back post.
Since joining from Bochum in the German second division, Passlack has settled into life in Scotland, enjoying both the city and club.
‘I really enjoy the city, the club and people are amazing, so yeah it was really easy to get into the team.
Hearts had seven thousand fans at Livingston's Set Fare Arena.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Adam Bowen
Title challengers versus bottom of the league today as Hearts travelled to play Livingston hoping to get themselves back at the top of the table.
A surprise start to the game, as in the fifth minute a Livingston cross led to a shot, which Hearts managed to block before the ball fell to May who drilled it into the bottom corner from just outside the 18-yard box.
Hearts didn’t let this affect them, and with the support of the seven thousand away fans they managed to capitalise twenty minutes later. Following a terrible clearance from Montano giving the ball straight to Leonard who delivered a great ball in, which the returning Shankland headed home.
Both teams were still in the game for the rest of the half.
However, just five minutes into the second half Kyziridis worked it well down the left, delivering a ball to the back post where Shankland headed the ball goalwards, blocked by Montano, the ball stayed in the air with Shankland heading the ball back into the six yard box where Braga leapt, heading the ball into the back of the net.
Just over five minutes later, Montano the player at fault for the first Hearts goal, made a great run down the left, receiving the ball he played a great low ball to Nouble on the edge of the six yard box however he got terrible contact on it but luckily for him it fell to Smith who powered the ball into the back of the net with Kinglsey unable to block it off the line.
The joyous away supporters who have had a great season were silenced. Nerves around the stadium as both teams had numerous chances with a huge opportunity coming at the very end of the game. Livingston’s Muirhead took a lovely touch around Leonard on the halfway line and he would have run on to have a one-on-one against Schwolow but Leonard smartly hugged the Livingston number 9, leading to a free kick and a yellow card. However, the Livingston fans were outraged that there was not a red card. They got their wish in the end as referee Clancy was told to go to the monitor by VAR, leading to him change the yellow card to a red one.
In the end the game ended 2-2 with numerous chances for both teams to win it, however, neither could.
Derek McInnes reflecting on the game said that Hearts ‘were good at spells’ but ‘equally poor at times.’ However, the Hearts boss said that they are ‘still in a strong position [in the league]’ but that when they go away from home they’re going to have to ‘defend a lot better’ than they did today, saying that to achieve what they want to achieve they’re going to ‘have to get wins on the road.’
Marvin Bartley, whose team is in a completely different position, said that he thought the ‘boys were great today’ and looked more likely to get the winner. He went on to say how he was ‘proud’ of the players to go on and find the equaliser, considering Hearts are top of the league with 7,000 travelling fans. He gave a special mention to Montano, saying that despite his mistake during Hearts’ first goal, he kept going and created the second goal for Livingston.
This evening, Hearts sit one point clear at the top of the table with one more game to be played before the split. It’s all to play for!
