Month: September 2019

Under Pressure: something’s got to give in Edinburgh derby

Tenth vs Twelfth … who could have imagined this at the start of the season?

It’s the derby game neither manager can afford to lose. There’s always added pressure in derby games, but even more so when after five league games Hibs languish in tenth place in the Premiership and Hearts prop up the league on just two points.

And with tough League Cup fixtures coming up in midweek, the pressure’s ramped up ust that little bit higher.

The stakes really couldn’t be much higher for Paul Heckingbottom and Craig Levein – it’s not an exaggaration to say the next two games could well determine the Edinburgh clubs’ seasons – or at least the fate of their managers. Win both, your season’s back on track and the critics are silenced – at least for a wee while. Lose both, and even the most fair-minded fans will be calling for your head.

With both teams out of form, supporters will be looking desperatly for any reasons for optimism. For Hearts, the return of key personnel could be just the lift they need.

Craig Levein confirmed that Joel Pereira, Michael Smith and Steven Naismith should be fit for today’s Edinburgh derby.

The return of the trio eases the manager’s injury list, with Conor Washington joining those on the sidelines after he had surgery on his hamstring through the week.

“We’ve got the likes of Naisy and Michael Smith, who are in rehab mode and they’re getting close to being ready to play. I would expect both of them to be fit for Sunday.

“Joel’s come back up from Manchester United and is feeling good. The problem he had was a thigh strain, so we’ve not done an awful lot of kicking to this point, just to make sure we give him plenty of time to recover. That’ll be the last thing he has to do. If he gets through that, then he will be available as well.”

However, centre back John Souttar has been ruled out.

Christophe Berra thinks that Hearts can take confidence from their performances at Easter Road last season as they head into their first Edinburgh derby of the season.

The Hearts skipper believes there is no better game with which to turn around their fortunes.

“We know it’s a big game. It always is, the derby. There’s a lot of media coverage on it, both teams aren’t doing very well in the league so there’ll be a lot at stake.

“We have got a good squad of players. It’s just about gelling as a team. We are working hard out there and doing our utmost to get that performance and victory first and foremost and build on that with performances.”

Hearts captain Berra played in both games in Leith last season, the highlight being a 1-0 win just before New Year thanks to an Olly Lee wonder strike against the run of play.

“Our last two games we’ve won and we’ve drawn, so we’ll take confidence from that. It is a new season, there’s different demands on both sets of players and it’s always a tough place to go to.

“It’s about us applying our game plan, starting on the front foot and making sure the home fans turn against them, make it a difficult atmosphere for them and make it volatile.”

“Adrenaline will be high. You’ll be up for it – we always are – but it’s live on telly, away to your biggest rivals. Playing at Easter Road is always good. I don’t know what kind of atmosphere it will be. It’s a good game to have – as long as you’re coming out on the winning side.”

For Hibs, this would be the perfect fixture to return to winning ways – but to that they need to recapture the ability to score.

Hibs’ last two performances have been insipid – and goalless. Fans will be hoping the return to Easter Road and a full house against their oldest rivals will be enough to galvanise their favourites into a level of performance that has been sadly lacking this season.

While it’s unlikely to be a game of flowing football – derbies seldom are – there will be no shortage of incidents and talking points. Like their bosses, the players will be feeling the pressure – and it’s those who can handle the pressure best who will triumph on the day.

With so much at stake, both managers would probably settle for a point. As ever, though, the diehard fans of both clubs will be looking for a lot more. Pressure, what pressure?

Justice Committee seeks views on family breakdown plans

The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is to put new proposals on managing disputes over children when families break down under the microscope.

The Committee has launched a call for views to inform its scrutiny of the plans which are contained in the Scottish Government’s new Children Bill. Continue reading Justice Committee seeks views on family breakdown plans

Every little helps? Asda urged to show respect to ‘dedicated staff’

Asda profits have rocketed more than £92 million with a healthy chunk paid to directors – but at the same time the supermarket giant is threatening staff with no sick pay and the sack if they don’t sign a controversial new contract. Continue reading Every little helps? Asda urged to show respect to ‘dedicated staff’

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra launches the Usher Hall’s 2019-20 Sunday Classics season

Sunday Classics: Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Piano – Alexandra Dariescu

Conductor – Yuri Simonov

3:00pm, Sunday 13 October 2019

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Searing passions, heartbreaking romance, all-consuming energy: the mighty Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra kicks off the Usher Hall’s 2019-20 Sunday Classics concerts with a bang in an all-Russian programme of exceptional power and tenderness. Continue reading Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra launches the Usher Hall’s 2019-20 Sunday Classics season

Full steam ahead for Waverley funding

£1 million announced for historic vessel

The last sea-going paddle steamer in the world will receive £1 million of Scottish Government funding to help it sail again, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced.

The Waverley Paddle Steamer has been in operation for over 70 years, transporting millions of passengers to a variety of locations throughout the UK but is currently out-of-service and urgently requires new boilers.

Scottish Government funding will go towards replacing the twin boilers as well as other necessary maintenance and upkeep such as replacing the main electrical switch board, new cabling and installing new generators.

Ms Hyslop said: “The Waverley has delighted generations of locals and visitors throughout its 70-year history and I am pleased to be able to announce this significant financial commitment to help the historic paddle steamer set sail once again.

“In 2020 Scotland’s coasts and waters will be celebrated with a programme of activity designed to inspire more people than ever before to explore and experience our unrivalled shores. I look forward to seeing the Waverley, such a key part of our maritime and cultural history, back in service and able to play a central part in that celebration.”

General Manager of Waverley Excursions Paul Semple said: “The trustees are delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised the Waverley’s importance to Scotland’s heritage and tourism with this generous grant towards our Boiler Refit Appeal.

“Taken together with the donations received from thousands of individuals across the UK it brings our appeal total to £1.9 million but more funding is required to reach our £2.3 million target to Save the Waverley.

“The continued support we are receiving is extremely heartening and we would like to sincerely thank everyone who has donated so far, we now hope that the corporate sector and grant-giving bodies will join the Government in supporting the Waverley to return to service next summer.”

The Waverley Paddle Steamer undertook its maiden voyage in 1947 and is registered as part of the National Historic Fleet as being a vessel of pre-eminent national significance.

A commitment to support the repairs was originally included in the Programme for Government as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 although no funding commitment was announced at that time.

 

Police concern over Balerno report

Police in Edinburgh are carrying out enquiries following a report of a partially clothed man walking in the area in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Officers were advised the man, who’s thought to be in his seventies, with thinning grey or white hair, had been seen in the Balerno area around 4.20am. Continue reading Police concern over Balerno report