Hearts - Beating On

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LIVINGSTON 0-0 HEARTS (Championship)

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HEARTS 1-4 ALLOA (Championship)
SOW

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HIBERNIAN 2-3 HEART (Championship)
OZTURK, KEATINGS, GOMIS

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HEARTS 4-2 RAITH (Championship)
KEATINGS (x2), MCGURN og, SMITH

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COWDENBEATH 1-0 HEARTS (Championship)

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Hearts are crawling closer and closer to clinching the league title despite slipping up a few times in recent months, this month was possibly the worst. Hearts' complacency in a few matches have cost them and despite following most disappointing results with 3 points, Hearts could have guaranteed their league champions status a lot sooner, and they could still slip up and lose it.

First off was an away trip to Livingston in which Hearts' attackers seemed to have an off day. Keatings and Sow had a bunch of shots in this game that went into row z and you could see the travelling Jambos' getting incredibly frustrated. Wingers, Reach and King, put in a decent enough performance but the finish was never there and Alexander was furious, at the end of the game, with the way his team played.

When the fans thought it couldn't get much worse, the team sunk to the lowest point of the season with a diabolical display against Alloa. This 4-1 defeat was made even worse by the fact that they were playing in-front off their own fans. Hearts never seemed to get into the game, which is incredibly surprising and goes against the majority of performances this season. This was not a good day and Neil Alexander blasted his teams lack of effort afterwards.

Hearts put a stop to their recent bad performances, however, by grabbing 3 points from their main rivals, which is possibly the best way of doing so. Hearts put in a better performance, despite a loose defence conceding 2 goals. James Keatings was back in-form and grabbed a goal, proving that he still has goals left in him this season. Despite the 5 goals, this game was 'ruined' by Hibs trying to injure anything that moved, resulting in them finishing the game with 9 men and slightly injuring Jason Holt and Papa Bouba Diop.

The club then stormed back to their usual self with a dominant display over Raith Rovers. Keatings continued his scoring ways with 2 goals and it was a fantastic day for 16 year-old winger Ian Smith, who grabbed his first goal in a maroon shirt. Hearts kept hold of possession well and it was more of a performance we expect from the team. This result meant that, with a win against Cowdenbeath, Hearts would be mathematical champions. Well, that was the plan anyway...

Cowdenbeath came out with enthusiasm this game and really played well. Hearts weren't given time on the ball and couldn't really string a good attack together. Despite this, Alexander demanded his team to make space, of which they did. From half-time on Hearts were the better team and they had a few good attacks, but they couldn't seem to score. The maroons were inevitably punished when Morgaro Gomis took down one of their players, inside the box and got himself sent off. Cowdenbeath then dispatched the penalty and claimed all 3 points. Alexander was furious with his whole team, not just Gomis, after the game and said that they need to book their ideas up in the last game, they can't let it slip.

League Table

Hearts' slip means that they still haven't guaranteed the title, and with the last game of the season creeping up Hearts could still lose the title. The last game is being touted up as being their biggest game of the season. What is the last game of the season?

HEARTS v RANGERS

This is unreal...Good luck mate!

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HEARTS 1-0 RANGERS (Championship)
KEATINGS

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Hearts celebrate today as they snap up the league title on the last game of the season. Fans packed out the stands for this game, of which felt like a cup final because of what the situation was. A win for Rangers would mean that they would have grasped the title out of Hearts' hands, however a win or draw for Hearts would mean that they would firmly keep hold of the title and be named champions. The club completed this game the best way they could and won it, meaning that they are 2014/15 Scottish Championship league victors!

The Jambos got off the to a good start as they pushed forward and kept possession of the ball easily enough. As the attacks drew on, however, Rangers pushed them back and had a few attacks for themselves and not before long it was half-time and nothing had really happened. The fans were confident with the way that Hearts were playing as they were holding on to the ball like they have most of the season and all Rangers attacks came to nothing, however all Hearts attacks were the same.

The tempo was pushed up a bit more by Rangers as they realised they needed a goal and that goal nearly came when Nicky Law burst through the Hearts defence and thread a ball to Kris Boyd who was in on goal. Boyd, however, miss hit the ball and it traveled wide of the post. From the resulting kick-off Holt gathered the ball and spread it up field to Keatings, who then ran into the box only to get hacked down and a penalty was award. James Keatings stepped up and slotted it away in the bottom left corner and Hearts celebrated tightening their grasp of the title.

For the rest of the game Rangers pushed for an equalizer but they couldn't break through the solid Hearts defence that were motivated by silverware. At the final whistle Hearts players jumped for joy as they knew that their hard work this season has payed off. A banner was unfolded in the main stand simply saying, "ALEXANDER, THE SAVIOUR!"

Hearts topped the Championship after an impressive season that saw them clinch 23 wins, the club also scored the most goals and conceded the 2nd least amount throughout the season. The victory over Rangers in the last game meant that Hearts finished 5 points clear at the top, 14 points clear of Cowdenbeath in 3rd and 21 points off not being in a play-off spot. Rangers went on to reach the final off the play-offs, however they lost to Ross County and this means that The Gers are set for another season in the Championship. Dundee finished last in the SPFL and are relegated into the division.

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Hearts faced a slightly disappointing Scottish Cup as they fell to defeat in their one and only game in the competition this season. The game was against SPFL St Mirren and, even though they were a division above, Hearts were slightly disappointed they couldn't give them more of a challenge.

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Hearts battled to a memorable victory in the League Cup. The Jambos didn't have the easiest of journey's leading up to the final either. Hearts started of their cup run with a 2-0 victory over Morton, which was the one and only 'easy' tie. The club were next drawn at home to SPFL side Inverness CT and they managed to claim their first scalp on penalties after a 2-2 draw. An Edinburgh Derby was then drawn at the Easter Road Stadium and Hearts managed to destroy their arch-enemies 4-1 to claim their place in the semi-final. Their semi-final was drawn against another SPFL side in Aberdeen and, once again, Hearts managed to win on penalties to reach the final. The team then beat Celtic 1-0 to hoist the trophy.

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Not many teams regard the Challenge Cup as an 'important' competition and no Hearts fan will be majorly disappointed by not collecting the trophy. The team were drawn away at Clyde in the First Round in a game which they dominated and smashed 5 goals in. Morton were drawn next and, again, they dominated Morton and won 4-1. Raith put an end to their run by claiming a 1-0 victory, however Alexander was not upset after the game and reportedly said "What is even the point in this?"

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Jason Holt won Fans Player of the Year after his impressive displays in the middle of the park this season. Holt has been primarily used as the main Playmaker and has been constantly reliable with his passing. This year he has kept a pass completion rate of 88% and has made 4 assists and has scored 4, picking up an average rating of 7.12.

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ALEXANDER
PATERSON, MCGHEE, OZTURK, MCHATTIE
NICHOLSON, HOLT, PALLARDO, WALKER
SOW, KEATINGS

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Good job mate.1-0,that was hard to watch.

Great job this season, won two trophies which is always great! Also nice to see Inter finishing second <3

Great stuff, now it's time for the Premiership!

Two of last seasons more important players have left Hearts today as Alexander begins to build his own side to face their first season back in the Premiership. Alim Ozturk was the first to leave after his £475,000 move to Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Miguel Pallardo was then sold to Valenciennes for £550,000. Alexander has noted before that he wants his own team and this is evidently start of the reshuffle.

Alim Ozturk was a solid cente-back for Hearts last season and sparked the interest of a few clubs around Europe. After quick negotiating the two clubs declared a fee of £475,000 and Alim was more than happy enough to leave. Last season he started 26 games at centre-back and put in solid performances, Jambos fans are disappointing to see him go but there is a general consensus that the deal brought in enough money for a better replacement.

The next player to leave was Miguel Pallardo. The midfielder was a constant performer last season and his £550,000 transfer to Valneciennes has sparked debate between the Jambos faithful.
Many of the fans were impressed with the performances his 23 games last season and despite a large fee being brought into the club, they are sad to see him go.

Alexander has noted that he has been in talks with a number of player recently and new signings are on the horizon. The Hearts squad are looking thin in the Goalkeeper spot and with Alexander himself ageing, many believe this will be the one position he will want to strengthen most. Ex-German international Timo Hildebrand has been linked with a move to Edinburgh after he was released by Frankurt, also linked with a move are Blackburn's Jake Kean and 1860 Munich's Stefan Ortega.

Hearts have set up a pre-season tour of The Netherlands as they prepare for their first season back in the SPFL. From the 2nd of July to the 7th, Hearts fans can see their new signings and old gems fight off against 3 Dutch teams. Hearts will start their tour off against Jupiler League team Heracles, they will then face a much tougher opponent in PSV Eindhoven. Their biggest test, however, will be when they go to the Amsterdam ArenA to do battle with Dutch Champions Ajax.

In a recent press-conference leading up to Hearts' Dutch tour, manager Neil Alexander has expressed his hopes in his team. Alexander is confident that Hearts can put in a good pre-season and end up having an impressive season with them challenging at the right end of the table. Two players have left and two players have joined as Hearts build up to their SPFL return and the club, and Alexander, are optimistic.

"We proved last season that we are a force," stated Alexander. "I think... no, I know that we can challenge at the top next season because we have a really good squad of whom have a great togetherness right now and with the right additions there is no reason that we can't challenge at the business end of the league."

Last season Alexander lead his team to an impressive League Cup victory, beating SPFL teams Inverness, Aberdeen and Celtic, the latter of which won the SPFL title. The majority of the squad preparing for life back in the top league is the same as the Championship team that got them back there, with an apparent number of additions to come.

Good luck,I hope this season will be interesting as last one was.

A great story so far and you have done well to beat Hibs and Rangers to the title, keep it up.

Today Hearts have reveiled their newest recruit in Jake Keane. A £250,000 deal has saw Keane sign for Hearts on a 3 season contract from Blackburn. Keane is a relatively young keeper and the Jambos are excited with their new man.

Keane was unhappy last season at Blackburn after only making 3 appearances for the club. Despite impressing in these 3 games he couldn't cement his place in the team in-front of Jason Steele, who was on loan there at time. He started off his career at Derby but was realised after just 3 seasons and was snapped up by Blackburn at the age of 18. Since then he has only spent 1 season out on loan at Hartlepool. This transfer comes as Alexander looks to solidify a long-term number 1.

"I'm excited by what Jake can offer. He was highly underrated by his team and you can be sure that he won't be here," spoke an pleased Alexander. "He has a lot to offer the club and his talent and potential can take the club into the future. We have plenty of keepers at the club capable but Keane will be the pick of them and you can be sure he will be number 1 this season."

Also speaking at his unveiling, Keane revealed how he relishes playing at Tynecastle. "I know about the Hearts support and I know how good they can be. The club's been through some rough times recently and the fans have stuck with them. The club are moving in the right direction now and I can't wait to get together with the lads and help push the club on."

BadWolf: Thanks for your comments. I'm hoping so too!!
Neal: Inter really did do well, would of won the league if Bergomi was in charge though :p
Feliks: Grab ahold of something, it's going to be a bumpy ride!
Wellsy: Thanks! Rangers I agree came close, but Hibs?? Pfft who are they!!

2014-11-19 09:05#200463 wellsy1498 : A great story so far and you have done well to beat Hibs and Rangers to the title, keep it up.

Wellsy!