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Joel Sked

@sked21

Editor at Hearts Standard. https://www.heartsstandard.co.uk/

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11.11.2024
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Latest posts by Joel Sked @sked21

Preview
Hearts B delight revealed as highly-rated star makes debut day after 16th birthday The B team drew with Gretna 2008 on Friday night in the Lowland League.

Boyd Fraser follows Robbie Flockhart and Keir McMeekin in making Hearts B debut days after turning 16.

Six 17-year-olds and five 16-year-olds started last night.

07.03.2026 11:25 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Hoff, a couple of weeks. Other than missing the bounce game with an illness, Borch has been training.

06.03.2026 15:52 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Lawrence Shankland's positive injury progress as he looks to aid Hearts title bid The striker has been out since January after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Lawrence Shankland is making good progress in his return from injury and is working towards what could be an earlier-than-expected return.

06.03.2026 12:18 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
How Hearts dressing room compares to others for Derek McInnes and what's different A key element of the club's success so far this season has been the dressing room dynamic.

The current Hearts first-team squad is 30-strong and has 18 nationalities.

Speak to any player and they will say it is one of the best of their career.

Derek McInnes spoke on how it compares to ones he's managed, the unity and what he loves about it.

05.03.2026 22:34 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
How much Hearts could make from Keir McMeekin's Mnachester City transfer The teeanger will join the Premier League side later this year.

Hearts are guaranteed in the region of Β£400,000 in training compensation for Keir McMeekin's move to Manchester City.

A life-changing transfer for the 16-year-old could net Hearts as much as Β£2m.

05.03.2026 10:52 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Inside story of Colin Chisholm's Hearts performance: Memento, pride, McInnes praise Colin Chisholm wowed the Tynecastle Park crowd with his rendition of The Hearts Song. He spoke to Hearts Standard about the day.

Colin Chisholm's rendition of The Hearts Song on Saturday was memorable.

Had the pleasure of speaking to Colin and his son David about a special and poignant experience, the build-up and Marshall's, the Chunky Chicken Champions.

πŸ—£οΈ "Oh, God, don't."

05.03.2026 08:18 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Yeah, think the club were waiting to get them in. 50 loyalty points still the cut off so you may have a decision to make...

05.03.2026 08:18 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Cammy Devlin not ruled out for Kilmarnock game as Hearts star pushing for return The Australian midfielder was viewed as returning for the Dundee game later this month, but he could return a week earlier.

Cammy Devlin thinks he has a chance to return for Hearts against Kilmarnock next weekend alongside Oisin McEntee.

The midfielder received an injection which has helped irritation.

πŸ—£οΈ McInnes: "We're not going rule that out for him at the minute."

04.03.2026 15:41 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Hearts heading for another 4,000 Rugby Park away sell-out as fans snap up tickets The league leaders travel to Kilmarnock later this month.

Hearts set for another sold-out away support at Rugby Park.

Initial allocation of 3,500 sold out but second batch of tickets will take it beyond 4,000.

04.03.2026 13:47 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
How Hearts booked place in Scottish Youth Cup final as they look to end 26-year wait Hearts will face Queen's Park in the Scottish Youth Cup final after defeating Kilmarnock 2-0.

Hearts can end a 26-year wait for Scottish Youth Cup success when they face Queen's Park in the final.

It came after defeating Kilmarnock, which ended with celebratory music blaring from the home dressing room.

Reflections on a successful night at the Oriam.

04.03.2026 08:12 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Key Hearts fixture in title race moved for TV as Livingston clash gets new date The fixture with Livingston has been moved to a different date and time and will be shown on Sky Sports.

Heart of Midlothian's penultimate fixture before the split has been moved for TV.

A HUGE away following will be expected at Livingston next month.

03.03.2026 15:05 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
How Hearts gave the fans what they wanted with performance in win over Aberdeen Hearts finished the weekend six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Joel Sked looks back at the win over Aberdeen.

Belated analysis from the 1-0 win over Aberdeen.

It was all about the first-half performance. Playing forward, playing with width, man for man.

It reflected the positivity and intensity of the support.

03.03.2026 11:58 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Claudio Braga reveals Lawrence Shankland role, goal target and what everybody feels Claudio Braga was the matchwinner against Aberdeen.

Claudio Braga is revelling in the increased responsibility in the Hearts attack.

He revealed the role Shankland had to play in his goal and his new goal target, plus what it felt like to score in front of his dad and the feeling at Hearts.

01.03.2026 22:40 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Heart of Midlothian finish the weekend:

- 6 points ahead of Rangers
- 8 ahead of Celtic (they play their game in hand at Aberdeen on Wednesday)
- 10 ahead of Motherwell (they play their game in hand v Dundee on Saturday)

A couple of weeks of chill then Killie and Dundee.

01.03.2026 14:52 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Hearts song, surreal event, believe - Inside a big day at Tynecastle as fans set tone The Hearts support put in the performance of the season at a raucous and enjoyable day at Tynecastle Park.

Banners, ladders, songs. Nerves, excitement and belief.

Inside a hugely enjoyable, successful and, at times, surreal day at Tynecastle Park as Heart of Midlothian defeat Aberdeen in front of a raucous home support.

01.03.2026 13:09 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Derek McInnes on Hearts fans role, Sir Alex Ferguson, Spittal and playing front two Hearts extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Derek McInnes gave his assessment.

Derek McInnes described the Hearts support as "brilliant".

They played their part in the 1-0 win over Aberdeen, as did Blair Spittal, a resolute defence and the desire to go with a front two.

McInnes explained the line-up decision and Ferguson.

28.02.2026 18:44 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Derek McInnes on Hearts Dubai plans and injury update on Ageu, McEntee and Gordon The Hearts head coach provided an update following the team's 1-0 win over Aberdeen.

Hearts will train in Edinburgh next week instead of going to Dubai.

Plus, updates on Oisin McEntee, Craig Gordon and Ageu's operation. As well as Derek McInnes and Dennis Geiger encounter.

28.02.2026 18:16 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 3
Preview
Hearts Dubai training camp rethink due to missile strikes in the Middle East Hearts had been scheduled to go to Dubai for a training camp this week.

Hearts are monitoring the situation in the Middle East regarding their Dubai training camp.

It is, as expected, very unlikely.

28.02.2026 14:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
How Hearts can deal with injury obstacle in title bid and the April 'transfer window' Hearts have dealt with challenges and setbacks throughout the season while leading the league.

When Hearts went out to training yesterday morning, Derek McInnes had a full XI unavailable.

A look at the current injury obstacle, how it will be dealt with and encouragement from evidence of this season.

26.02.2026 14:42 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Sir Alex Ferguson's Hearts interest, Derek McInnes notes and Cammy Devlin The legendary manager will be attending Hearts' game with Aberdeen on Saturday.

Derek McInnes provided some insight into Sir Alex Ferguson's interest in Hearts and the title race

⏺️ Coming to the game on Saturday
⏺️ Makes notes of little nuggets or info
⏺️ What McInnes told Devlin that Ferguson had said [he hadn't]

25.02.2026 13:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Hearts injury latest as club dealt double blow with Ageu and Stuart Findlay news The club receieved scan results on a number of players who had sustained injuries.

Ageu has been ruled out for the season and Stuart Findlay six weeks.

The latest on the Hearts injury situation including Kerjota, Baningime, McEntee, Gordon, Kingsely, Devlin and Shankland.

25.02.2026 10:51 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Who played and scored as Hearts faced Dundee in bounce game at the Oriam A number of first team players featured in a bounce game ahead of Saturday's clash with Aberdeen.

A number of Hearts first-team players featured in a bounce game at Oriam this afternoon.

Rogers Mato, Sabah Kerjota, Jordi Altena were among those involved.

24.02.2026 15:41 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
How Islam Chesnokov has sparked significant Hearts interest in Kazakhstan The Kazakh international scored his first goal for the club on Saturday. His progress has been tracked in his homeland.

Islam Chesnokov has made history by becoming the first Kazakh player to play and score in Scottish football.

His progress is being followed very closely and enthusiastically in his homeland.

24.02.2026 13:19 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Blair Spittal reveals the late Hearts call to start and what Derek McInnes asked Blair Spittal's mind had to switch in an instant. The Heart of Midlothian midfielder was preparing for another watching brief from the substitute's…

Blair Spittal found out he was starting against Falkirk just minutes before the game started.

He spoke about finding out he was starting, what McInnes told him, not playing much and the Tynecastle factor.

23.02.2026 09:17 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Derek McInnes on Chesnokov impact, role of the fans, Michael Steinwender praise The Hearts head coach was happy with the three points as the team defeated Falkirk 1-0.

Some more points from Derek McInnes' post-match interview:

πŸ‘‰ What frustrated him about first-half performance
πŸ‘‰ Michael Steinwender praise and why he started
πŸ‘‰ Thanks to the Hearts fans
πŸ‘‰ Islam Chesnokov's getting "better and better"

πŸ”— onlrl.co/gxb03c

21.02.2026 18:28 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Hearts provide injury update on quartet as Derek McInnes reveals star was a doubt The league leaders lost players to injury before and during the win over Falkirk at Tynecastle Park.

Derek McInnes provided an extensive injury update on a raft of players and praise for Blair Spittal.

Updates on Beni, Findlay, Ageu, Gordon, Schwolow and McEntee.

On Ageu, "I cannae dress it up, it's a huge blow for us".

21.02.2026 18:01 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Hearts 1-0 Falkirk: Nerve shredder, big Islam Chesnokov moment, 10 to go The league leaders extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Joel Sked and Craig Cairns report from Tynecastle Park.

Hearts secure a big win over Falkirk at Tynecastle Park to extend their Premiership lead, for at least 24 hours.

It was a nerve-shredder but the team saw it over the line.

As an aside, Shankland can't come back quickly enough.

21.02.2026 16:56 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Blair Spittal replaces Ageu in Hearts starting XI.

Brazilian midfielder went across to the dugout and sat down during the warm-up with Spittal called in to join the starting team.

21.02.2026 14:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Derek McInnes explains Beni Baningime absence and timeline for Hearts star The midfielder picked up an injury ahead of the game against Falkirk.

Derek McInnes revealed Beni Baningime underwent a fitness test this morning after picking up an injury on Friday.

Not expected to be serious.

21.02.2026 14:14 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

40 years ago, Gary Mackay was a player in a Hearts title battle. Now, he is a fan experiencing all the emotions of a title battle.

He talks 'genuine article' McInnes, power of the fans and the clear picture of the next two games.

πŸ”— onlrl.co/rlpboy

20.02.2026 10:11 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0