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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 1d

It's been four months since Liam Fox led Hearts to four wins in a row at the end of last season.

He has spent that time preparing for his return to management.

I caught up with Fox this week to reflect on his coaching journey so far.

How Liam Fox has been preparing for return to management after Hearts spell

Liam Fox left Hearts at the end of the season. The club's former coach speaks exclusively to Hearts Standard for the first time since his departure.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 2d

Heart of Midlothian have identified a preferred candidate to replace Ann Budge as chair.

There is expected to be further change at board level with one director understood to be stepping down at the AGM.

Hearts identify candidate to replace Ann Budge with further board changes expected

The club's board is going to have a new look come the end of the year.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 3d

Macaulay Tait didn't make his Scotland 21s debut this evening - could make it on Sunday - but caught up with him earlier this week.

Spoke of the call-up, eating everything and anything to bulk up, kicking on at Livi and having time on his side.

Macaulay Tait on past Scotland under-21 omission and focusing on '1 percenters'

When Scot Gemmill named his Scotland Under-21 squad for last month's European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Portugal,…

onlrl.co

Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 4d

Tony Bloom on the need to improve Scottish football, growing the game and Hearts financials.

🗣️ "Hearts will be a force and when we get into Europe, we'll be winning games and we will help lift that coefficient"

'Hearts will be a force' - Tony Bloom's Euro prediction as he has say on coefficient

Heart of Midlothian will be a force in European competition and will help improve Scottish football's coefficient.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 5d

Liam McFarlane's positive season continues, training with the Scotland national team over the past two days.

Part of the 21s squad for the upcoming double header but got a good experience with the senior team.

Highly thought of by club and country.

Hearts goalkeeper Liam McFarlane trains with Scotland national team

The talented Hearts goalkeeper has gained further experience ahead of the upcoming under-21 double header.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 5d

Hearts have been monitoring the Rangers managerial situation.

⏺️ No Derek McInnes approach
⏺️ Belief that he will remain if there is
⏺️ One candidate already ruled out

The Hearts stance on Derek McInnes as one Rangers manager candidate ruled out

The Hearts head coach has been touted as a possible candidate to replace Russell Martin.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 6d

Rewatched the Premiership league leaders Heart of Midlothian's derby win.

♦️ Impact of Elton Kabangu for the goal
♦️ Nullifying Hibs
♦️ Outrunning Hibs despite having more possession
♦️ One team went to win it
♦️ Moment that sums up Halkett

Why Hearts deserved derby win: Key decisions, work out of possession, risk and reward

While the Edinburgh derby was a close affair, decisions made by the home side were worthy of winning the game, Joel Sked explains.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 6d

Hearts set to lose Keir McMeekin to Manchester City after significant interest from Premier League clubs.

Scottish clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to hold onto their best young talent when the EPL elite come calling.

Hearts starlet set for Manchester City move after significant interest

Keir McMeekin is set to join Manchester City next year after significant interest in Hearts starlet.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 7d

Craig Halkett is a rare commodity. A defender you're happy for the ball to fall to in situations like Saturday.

He spoke about that finish, what it meant, the golf celebration for a fan, his leadership (and fining) role.

Interview with a derby hero.

Craig Halkett on 'unforgettable' Hearts moment, fan celebration and fining role

Craig Halkett was the hero for Hearts in the 1-0 win over Hibs on Saturday. An interview with the centre-back.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 7d

Craig Halkett joins Lawrence Shankland, Phil Stamp and David Obua to have a derby named after him.

It prompted a very celebratory evening in Gorgie and elevates the momentum, enthusiasm and excitement that is enveloping Heart of Midlothian.

What perfect win means for Hearts: McInnes record, growing identity, momentum

Hearts continued their impressive start to the season in the best way possible. Joel Sked looks at what the win meant and means.

www.heartsstandard.co.uk

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 7d

Hearts hope to organise a bounce game before Kilmarnock while there is positive news on the injury front this month with Ageu and Kent set to return.

That and Derek McInnes on how the team can continue improving.

Derek McInnes on how Hearts can improve, injury update and bounce game hope

Hearts go into the international break top of the Scottish Premiership after the latest victory over Hibs.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 8d

Derek McInnes hailed the "beautiful sight" of Tynecastle Park after a win over Hibs.

He spoke on the impact of Sabah Kerjota and Hearts fans excitement of a table-topping team.

Derek McInnes on 'beautiful' Tynecastle sight, Kerjota impact, Hearts excitement

Derek McInnes hailed the impact of his Albanian winger and the Tynecastle Park crowd after the win over Hibs.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 8d

Heart of Midlothian are five points clear at the top of the league. And did it in the BEST way possible.

Tynecastle Park was raucous at full-time. Gorgie should be raucous this evening.

That pint of Tennent's is going to be beautiful.

CRAIG HALKETT.

Hearts 1 - 0 Hibs: Five point clear, McInnes' team, standout player, key sub

Heart of Midlothian are top of the league by five points thanks to Craig Halkett's stoppage-winner. Joel and Craig look back at the game.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 8d

Derek McInnes has named the same starting XI for the third game running.

He said he was "pleased" to do so and the key focus for table-topping Heart of Midlothian.

Derek McInnes explains Hearts XI decision and the key focus for Hibs clash

Derek McInnes has named the same Hearts XI for the third game running.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 11d

Two clean sheets in a row ahead of the derby.

A key component of the potential success for Heaths is having, in my opinion, the best centre-back options in the Premiership.

Spoke to McInnes about that depth and the excellent Craig Halkett.

The Hearts centre-back corps: Depth, flexibility, main headers, Halkett impact

Derek McInnes is blessed with centre-back options as Hearts head coach.

onlrl.co

Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 18d

Hearts have a clear desire to win the ball back and engage the opposition high up the pitch.

It started in pre-season and part of a developing identity.

Chat with Derek McInnes on going after teams and the first thought after losing the ball.

How Hearts have made counterpressing a key identity under Derek McInnes

Under Derek McInnes, Hearts are one of the most proactive teams in the Premiership in their search to win the ball back.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 22d

Since 2000, nine players have reached the 200-game milestone for Heart of Midlothian.

The last player to do so was Michael Smith.

An exclusive interview with the Northern Irishman still playing semi-pro.

🔗 onlrl.co/0ipsih

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 23d

Hearts are considering disbanding their B team at the end of the season.

The club are exploring it as part of a possible wider restructuring.

It follows change within Scottish football (new 19s league, co-op loans, LL restructure).

Hearts considering B team future: Possible restructing plans and SFA changes

The B team could be scrapped at the end of this season as the club explore restructuring of the football department.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 23d

Hearts are monitoring Macaulay Tait's loan spell at Livingston closely.

His physical output has improved, he's playing different roles and he is one of only two players 20 or under to play over 300 minutes in the Premiership so far.

Inside Macaulay Tait's Livingston loan: Physcial output, new role, Scotland snub

The 20-year-old midfielder is an important first-team player for Livingston. Joel Sked finds out about his continued progress.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 24d

The Hearts hope for Ageu and Oisin McEntee ahead of upcoming games, plus Frankie Kent timeline.

The Hearts hope for midfield duo Oisin McEntee and Ageu after injury concerns

The duo have been dealing with injury issues that the club hope won't be anything serious.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 24d

What Derek McInnes made of the bounce game:

♦️ Minutes plan
♦️ Borchgrevink return
♦️ James Wilson

Derek McInnes' Hearts bounce game assessment: Borchgrevink, Wilson, minutes plan

Hearts defeated Ayr United on Wednesday at Tynecastle Park with a number of first-team players getting plenty of minutes.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 25d

James Wilson scored for Hearts in their 1-0 bounce game win over Ayr United.

Christian Borchgrevink returned and was part of a strong starting XI.

Christian Borchgrevink returns in Hearts bounce game win with James Wilson scoring

Hearts defeated Ayr in a bounce game.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 25d

For Hearts fans, the USG Champions League victory over PSV was of interest.

Of the 14 players used, 11 were signed for fees of 2m or less. Five of those were free or for six figures.

They arrived from Estonia, Latvia, Norway, English lower league.

Why Union Saint-Gilloise's Champions League win should be of interest to Hearts

The Belgians won their opening Champions League fixture, defeating Dutch giants PSV.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 25d

Hearts confirm departure of Kenneth Vargas.

The 23-year-old rejoins former club Herediano until January.

Hearts announce Kenneth Vargas exit as forward returns join to former club

The 23-year-old returns to Costa Rica for the remainder of the year for regular football.

onlrl.co

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Joel Sked @sked21.bsky.social · 26d

'Kenneth Vargas is back home'

The player's former club Herediano have already announced that he "is returning to the team as a new addition for the 2025 Apertura Tournament".

(h/t @hmfc-france.bsky.social)

Hearts Standard @heartsstandard.bsky.social · 26d

Hearts have been in discussions over a loan move for Kenneth Vargas.

A return to Costa Rica could go through before their transfer window shuts.

@sked21.bsky.social ⤵️

Kenneth Vargas could be set to leave Hearts with return to Costa Rica on the cards

Kenneth Vargas could be set to leave Hearts.

www.heartsstandard.co.uk

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