Not one but two Edinburgh derbies this weekend. Hibs face Hearts tonight at Easter Road – but Events Management students from Edinburgh College are also hosting a charity football game at Spartans Football Club on Sunday (11 March)! Continue reading Derby Days: Edinburgh College students run football fundraiser for mental health charity
Police in Edinburgh are reminding fans to behave responsibly at the upcoming Hearts vs Hibs derby. The clubs meet in Gorgie for a fourth round Scottish Cup tie on Sunday with a 2.05pm kick-off. Continue reading Best behaviour: advice to fans ahead of derby clash
The EDINBURGH CHEER campaign has received the backing of the Scottish Government’s Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell, who said: “It is tremendous to see two of Scotland’s biggest clubs, city rivals, coming together to promote such a positive message and to help create such a tremendous spirit at Christmas. Football – our national sport – can be a powerful force for good, and this initiative further highlights the great impact it can have in communities.”
Hearts Chairwoman and Big Hearts Trustee Ann Budge said: “The city’s two major football clubs coming together to lead this campaign will, we hope, encourage lots of people to get behind us to deliver Edinburgh Cheer this Christmas. While the two clubs are fierce rivals on the pitch, off the pitch we share similar values and a similar determination to use football to create better outcomes for people.
“Although we do have lots of passionate supporters, we really are only rivals for 90 minutes three or four times a season. Otherwise both clubs are totally committed to doing what they can for the community and to help the people of Edinburgh.”
Hibernian Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “We are delighted to be working with Heart of Midlothian to launch this campaign to make Edinburgh the Capital of Goodwill this Christmas, harnessing the power of football to deliver positive benefits. We are also thrilled that so many other organisations have expressed a desire to support the Edinburgh Cheer campaign, and we hope that supporters and all other citizens will sign up to help make Christmas a little kinder for all the people of Edinburgh.”
NHS Lothian Chief Executive Tim Davison said: “Football is Scotland’s national game, and we know the huge interest there is in the game and the influence that football can have. We are delighted to be working with the clubs on a campaign designed to help the well-being of all the people of Edinburgh, and to work with the Evening News to promote positive health messages.”
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Seven men have been arrested in connection with a large-scale disturbance in the city centre last week following the Hearts v Hibs cup clash at Tynecastle.
Following the derby game on Sunday 12th February, police received reports of disorder and violence taking place outside a pub on Brougham Place. As a result of this incident two men required treatment for facial and head injuries.
On Wednesday 22nd February officers carried out enforcement activity in the Oxgangs, Newington and Meadowbank areas of the city, as well as within Newtongrange, Ormiston and Aberfeldy. Seven men aged 16, 20, 26, 33, 33, 48 and 48 were all subsequently charged and will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.
Chief Superintendent Kenny MacDonald, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh said: “The disorder on Brougham Place was football-related and caused a great deal ofconcern to local residents, businesses and patrons in the area.
“We will not tolerate such offences and will actively pursue anyone believed to be involved to ensure they are brought to justice.
“The vast majority of supporters of both Hearts and Hibernian are regularly a credit to their clubs and behave responsibly whenever their teams are in action. However, a small minority behave in a manner, which puts themselves and others at risk.
“The replay of the Scottish Cup match takes place tonight and we’ll have an appropriate presence in place to ensure the safety of all spectators and maintain order in and around the stadium.
“In addition, police will be assisting stewards to check for contraband items such as alcohol, weapons and flares and anyone in possession of such things will be prevented from entering the ground and may be arrested.
“Following the match, officers will be out on patrol and any offences identified will be dealt with robustly.”
Trebles all round for Muirhouse Library Link member
Drylaw centenarian Harry Macdonald doesn’t do things by halves. He’s already celebrated his birthday with a party at Drylaw Church, then followed that up with a family meal in Davidson’s Mains – and now there’s been a third celebration as Harry marked his milestone event with staff and friends from Muirhouse Library’s Link service earlier today!
Muirhouse Library’s Declan McCann said: “Harry has been coming to library link since July 2015, and he has been a lively addition to the group. The Hearts top he is wearing was gifted by the club, has the number 100 on the back and is signed by the players. Today we shared cake, coffee and non-alcoholic bubbly!”
Police in Edinburgh are urging fans to ‘enjoy responsibly’ Sunday’s Hearts v Hibs Scottish Cup clash. Continue reading Behave: police warning ahead of cup derby
Police are reminding football fans that a ‘robust policing operation’ will be in place at this weekend’s derby match to identify anyone in possession of alcohol, fireworks or flares.
Over 15,000 spectators are expected to attend Easter Road Stadium for Sunday’s Hibs v Hearts clash, and fans are being warned that anti-social drinking in the surrounding streets will not be tolerated and the relevant by-law will be enforced.
Police will also assist stewards to carry out searches outside the stadium to prevent illegal or prohibited items being brought into the ground.
Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “Like any derby day, this Sunday promises to be a great atmosphere with thousands within the city coming along to the match or watching it in the city’s pubs.
“The vast majority of supporters demonstrate exemplary behaviour and are a credit to their clubs – however, we will have a number of resources in place to target the minority of individuals whose behaviour can put both themselves and others at risk. This includes officers visiting local pubs and areas where groups gather.
“Officers and stewards will be carrying out searches of fans entering Easter Road and anyone found with illicit or illegal materials will be prohibited from entering and may face further police action.”
The Championship’s form teams lock horns when Hearts meet Hibs at Tynecastle today. The Gorgie men have established a seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the table but Hibs impressive victory over Rangers last weekend gives them hope that they can end their rival’s unbeaten run.
Everything has gone right for Hearts this season; never mind just the ‘talk o’ the toon’, the Tynecastle club’s transformation has been the talk of Scottish football. In a wee media world where Glesca remains the centre of the football universe, Rangers ongoing woes still capture most of the headlines but there’s been a quiet revolution taking place at Tynecastle.
The club has embraced a radical business idea – well, the football business, anyway – where you only spend as much as you take in and you don’t buy things you can’t afford to pay for! I know, it sounds crazy but it seems to be working so far for Hearts; call me delusional but maybe one day all cubs will operate this way – the ones that survive, anyway.
Living in the real world has done Hearts no harm, either. The club has established a fifteen point gap at the top of the table and has gone eighteen league games unbeaten – the sole remaining unbeaten club in the British leagues. Fans have flocked back in their thousands. It’s working.
Hearts have dropped just four points all season and that’s mainly down mainly to organisation and the increasing confidence that goes with a successful run. Hearts started the season with a win over Rangers and have topped the table ever since – week after week they have continued to relentlessly grind out results (even when they haven’t played well) with a consistency none of the challengers can match. It’s a winning mentality that’s become ingrained.
Hibs performance against Rangers last weekend was mighty impressive – the best ninety minutes the Easter Road men have enjoyed for years. Critics point to a woeful Rangers side but very few teams could have resisted the Hibs we saw last week. The problem is, though, consistency – what Hibs team will we see today? The buccaneering, free-flowing, attacking cavaliers of last week or the timid, disorganised, nervous bunch of individuals who too often underperform against sides they should comfortably see off?
If it’s the former, we’re in for a treat – facing Hearts at Tynecastle is a formidable test and it will be fascinating to see just how far Stubbs’ team has progressed. If it’s the latter, Hearts will bully them and brush them aside.
You don’t need an extra incentive in an Edinburgh derby, but for Hearts it’s surely to keep that unbeaten record intact while Hibs fans would take an awful lot of pleasure if their team was to bring that Tynecastle run to a crashing halt. Realistically it’s too late to mount a serious challenge to Hearts, but a victory over Hearts would get the New Year off to just the right start for Hibees.
Hearts go into today’s game without front men Dale Carrick, Soufian El Hassnaoui and Osman Sow, while defender Kevin McHattie is also an absentee. Lack of front men has not proved too much of an inconvenience in the league campaign so far, however – and who better than Director of Football Craig Levein to offer Robbie Neilson some sage advice about setting up a team without a recognised striker!
Hibs have been boosted by news that talismanic striker Dominique Malonga is available after being given special dispensation to delay his trip to the African Nations Cup with Congo. Neither Jordon Forster or Dylan McGeouch are likely to figure today and Farid El Alagui is also ruled out.
Key men today are likely to be Hibs’ Scott Allan, who was immense against Rangers and has impressed all season, and Hearts’ influential midfielder Morgaro Gomis but there are likely to be key personal duels going on all over the park and it’s just as likely that a totally unexpected match winner will be today’s derby hero.
I don’t expect any silky, flowing football but I do expect drama and excitement and I hope it’s the players, and not the match officials, who make tomorrow’s headlines.
If Hearts take something from today’s testing encounter there’s every reason to believe that they can negotiate the remainder of their league games without defeat. That would be a mighty achievement, and it’s enough of an incentive to convince me that Hearts won’t allow themselves to be beaten today – I predict a score draw.
Can high-flying Hearts complete capital cup treble?
With Hibs and Spartans safely through to the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup, all eyes with be on Tynecastle this afternoon – can high-flying Hearts make it a capital cup treble?
Both Hibs and Spartans came from behind in their fourth round ties yesterday.
The biggest upset of the day belonged to local Lowland League side Spartans, who came from behind to defeat Greenock Morton at Ainslie Park. A stoppage time strike by Beasley created history for the local team – giant-killers Spartans will now take their place in the last sixteen for the first time in their history.
Andrew Barrowman gave Morton a first half lead, but Spartans battled back and levelled through Willie Bremner in the second half. The tie seemed to be heading for a replay but Jack Beesley’s late late show secured a superb Spartans victory.
“The players in the second half were magnificent,” Samuel told BBC Scotland. “When we scored we were certainly going to go for the win – we weren’t playing for the replay, that’s for sure!”
Hibs successfully negotiated a tricky away tie at Alloa. Hibs fans may have feared the worst when Meggatt fired Alloa ahead in fifteen minutes – some Hibs teams of recent vintage would have wilted after going behind – but Alan Stubbs current side is seemingly made of sterner stuff and first half goals by Liam Craig and David Gray saw them safely through to Monday’s draw.
Now Hearts have the chance to make it a capital cup treble. All’s well with the world at Tynecastle these days: Mr Romanov is a distant memory, business is brisk and the team sits proudly at the top of the table, with the likes of Rangers and Hibs trailing in their wake.
Celtic are Scotland’s top team, but they’ve seldom fired on all cylinders this season and another European defeat in midweek exposed their frailties and showed they are far from the finished article.
Yes, Celtic should be too strong for Hearts this afternoon but all the pressure is on the Parkhead side – Hearts go into the game having comprehensively beaten their main title rivals Rangers last weekend and confidence is sky high. The Gorgie boys have nothing to lose by having a real go today. If Celtic do not perform, they will lose.
Both teams have injury worries ahead of this afternoon’s clash.
Hearts have Prince Bauben back in the squad but defender Kevin McHattie has been ruled out with medial ligament damage. Captain Danny Wilson and striker Osman Sow are also doubtful.
Celtic also have three injury concerns. Influential midfielder Charlie Mulgrew is struggling with a rib injury picked up during Thursday’s Europa League defeat by Salzburg and Jason Denayer is also unlikely to feature. Defender Mikael Lustig is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Four SPFL Scottish Premiership sides exited the tournament at the first attempt yesterday – Aberdeen, Motherwell, Hamilton Academicals and Ross County have gone already. Will Celtic join them?
Police in Edinburgh are reminding fans that a policing operation will be in place at this weekend’s derby match to identify anyone in possession of alcohol, fireworks or flares.
Over 14,000 spectators are expected at Easter Road Stadium tomorrow for the game, which kicks off at 12.15pm. Antisocial drinking in the surrounding streets will not be tolerated and officers will be enforcing the Edinburgh by-law in this regard.
In addition, police will be assisting stewards to carry out searches outside the ground to prevent illegal or prohibited items being smuggled in. A specially trained police dog will be deployed to detect explosive or combustible materials. Fans from both sides are urged to ensure their behaviour during the match does not put themselves or others in danger.
Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “The atmosphere at the Edinburgh derby is always electric and we want all supporters to enjoy the day. Police will be patrolling around the stadium with a focus on stopping anti social street drinking and fans will be subject to searches as a condition of entry to the ground. A specialist search dog will be used to detect anyone in possession of fireworks or flares.
“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and while the behaviour of the vast majority of Hearts and Hibs fans is exemplary, the reckless conduct of a small minority could place everyone in danger.
“Anyone found to be in possession of these items, or any other objects that are not permitted within the stadium will be refused entry and may face further police action.”
