Monday February 23rd 2026
Hearts played Falkirk nat home on Saturday
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
Blair Spittal delivered a composed midfield display in Saturday’s 1–0 win over Falkirk despite not expecting to start.
A late injury to Ageu in the warm-up meant Spittal was drafted into the starting XI less than 10 minutes before kick-off.
‘It’s one of those unfortunate things that happens in the warm up sometimes, you just have to make sure if you’re not starting that you prepare as though something could happen.
‘I was still out warming up, just hitting a few shots, and Paul Sheeran came up to me and told me to be ready. At that moment it was just about making sure my head was switched on for the game.’
With fierce competition for places in central midfield this season, Spittal has had to remain patient. The 30-year-old admits it has not always been easy but understands the importance of staying sharp.
‘It’s been tough but it’s important you’re training well and waiting for your opportunity.
‘I feel like at times I’ve played well — not brilliant — but when I’ve come into the team I’ve played well. It’s a really competitive squad and a lot of boys are having great seasons, so you just need to make sure you’re ready when the opportunity comes.’
Spittal has experience all over Scotland playing previously for Motherwell, Ross County, Partick Thistle, Dundee United and Queen Park. That experience proved valuable in what was an open and frantic first half. He helped settle the tempo before Hearts improved after the break.
‘I’m 30 now, I’ve played a lot of games throughout my career. In that situation you need to make sure you’re ready. Obviously it’s disappointing when you’re not playing, but you need to go into every game ready when called upon.
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‘At times the game was open and stretched, probably more than what we would have wanted, but second half we got to grips with it and played a bit better — not brilliant — but better than the first half.’
He revealed the message from head coach Derek McInnes was simple: ‘Come in and do what I do every day in training.’
With a crucial run of fixtures before the split, Spittal stressed the importance of maintaining momentum as Hearts chase a historic title. The club are aiming to become the first side outside the Old Firm to lift the Scottish Premiership since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen triumphed in the 1985/86 campaign.
‘We’ve got a massive period coming up before the split so we need to make sure we win as many games as possible.’
Saturday also brought a first goal for new signing Islam Chesnokov. The winger, who joined from FC Tobol, has been adapting to the demands of Scottish football after seeing limited action since the Kazakh season ended in the autumn.
‘It’s not easy to come in and hit the ground running, but with each passing week in training you can see the quality he’s got and I thought he took his goal really well,’ Spittal said.
He also highlighted the role senior players have played in helping new arrivals adjust.
‘That’s the job of the boys that have been here — the likes of Craig Halkett, Frankie Kent, Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland. The boys that know Scottish football need to make it as easy and comfortable as possible for them.
‘It’s not the easiest place to come into, but with each week you can see the quality of the players coming in and it’s important we keep on top of them.’
The Tynecastle support has been central to Hearts’ unbeaten home record this season, something Spittal knows well from his years playing there as an opponent.
‘You can see the crowd want to get behind us. It’s not like they’re getting on top of us. Every half chance we get you can hear the lift. We’ve got to give them that and they feed off it.
‘Having played at Tynecastle over the years on the opposition side, that’s what you always talk about. It’s a great place to play.’
Under McInnes, there has been focus on making home fixtures far less enjoyable for visiting teams.
“The manager stressed that too many teams came here last year and enjoyed playing here. When it’s the way it is this season and we’re winning games, you can see how intimidating it can be.”
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