Joel Sked
@sked21.bsky.social
2K followers 81 following 720 posts
Editor at Hearts Standard. https://www.heartsstandard.co.uk/
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Hearts hope Craig Halkett follows Harry Milne and signs a new deal.

Talks over a new contract have been taking place over the last few weeks and have been positive.
Hearts hope to extend Craig Halkett's contracts with talks over a new deal
The centre-back has been a mainstay in the Hearts team under Derek McInnes.
onlrl.co
Derek McInnes prepares for his Rugby Park return for the first time as Heart of Midlothian boss.

He will likely be the focus of the home support.

🗣️ "The only thing I was guilty of was wanting to speak to Hearts. I don't make any apologies for that."
Derek McInnes makes no apologies for Hearts desire as he returns to Kilmarnock
The Hearts head coach will return to Rugby Park with his head held high.
onlrl.co
Alexandros Kyziridis is a very cool customer.

He breaks down his goal of the month v Falkirk, the almost replica against Hibs, his instinct and doing it in training.

🗣️ "My team mates know what I'm able to do."
Alexandros Kyziridis breaks down stunning Hearts goal and his attacking desire
The Greek winger has become a fan favourite and has shown he is capable of the spectacular. He speaks to Hearts Standard.
onlrl.co
Derek McInnes, speaking to Sky on speculation.

🗣️ My job is firmly at Hearts. I've wanted to be here for a long time. I am really enjoying my work here.

We feel we have started something and we want to make sure we can follow up a strong start to the season."
Heart of Midlothian’s next six games:

Saturday 5.45pm
Sunday 12pm
Wednesday 7.45pm
Saturday 3pm
Sunday 3pm
Sunday 3pm
Heart of Midlothian's trip to Aberdeen has been given a new date

📺 Selected by Sky
3️⃣ Sunday games between now and the end of November
👀 Looking for first Pittodrie win since 2016
Hearts trip to Pittodrie gets new date as Aberdeen clash chosen for TV
Aberdeen v Hearts will be shown on Sky Sports after the game in November was moved to a Sunday.
www.heartsstandard.co.uk
Landry Kabore created a little bit of Hearts history with his pivotal hat-trick for Burkina Faso.

♦️ First player to score hat-trick at full international level
♦️ Fourth hat-trick in 2025
♦️ Replaced £42.5m summer signing
Landry Kabore creates Hearts history with hat-trick after replacing £42m striker
The 24-year-old scored his fourth hat-trick of 2025 with a crucial treble for Burkina Faso.
onlrl.co
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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