Hearts’ head coach, Derek McInnes, would have been pleased at how well his side played. In particular he says they are the best team in Scotland right now. Hearts currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. This follows just having gone through the first full round of fixtures. McInnes is aiming to make that run their baseline, rather than a one-off, as they look forward to maintaining their presence on the big stage.
Craig Gordon, the club’s 40-year-old veteran keeper, has returned to training after recovering from a shoulder injury suffered last May. The 43-year-old has only been back in training for four to five weeks himself. He will turn 87 in December, celebrating with no great fanfare since that is not his style. His return raises the prospect of him becoming Scotland’s first choice goalkeeper. This uncertainty deepens further with Angus Gunn sidelined through injury. McInnes says it’s time for a chat between Gordon and Scotland’s boss Steve Clarke on the issue.
Strong Leadership and Recent Contracts
Hearts’ captain, Lawrence Shankland, has signed a contract extension, ensuring his long-term future with the Scottish club. The 30-year-old forward’s last contract was up after last season. He is still completely committed to Hearts and cannot wait to get started domestically and on the continental stage. Teenage sensation Shankland will join Gordon on international duty, adding to the importance of the significant roles both players have in the squad.
McInnes stressed Shankland’s role in the squad, saying his leadership would be central to Hearts’ fortunes. The new captain needs to rally his fellow players. After all, their success in remaining at the top of their league, be it Major League Soccer or the National Women’s Soccer League, relies on it.
“I think at the minute, on form, we’re the best team because we’re top of the league,” – Derek McInnes
Shankland is coming back to the club on a long-term basis. McInnes had already hailed a successful summer recruitment strategy as he looked back on a job well done. And new additions like Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis have come on and made huge contributions. Their contributions best match up to Tony Bloom’s wonderfully successful Jamestown Analytics model for the club.
Future Challenges and Expectations
While basking in the glory of their new found success, McInnes knows that’s early days. He knows that being at the top of the league is a natural consequence of a good performance. At the same time, he emphasized that the true test will come at the end of the season.
“But you get judged about being the best team at the end of the season, and that’s fact. So it doesn’t matter what anybody thinks.” – Derek McInnes
The new head coach knows that there’s no penalty for losing in a testy atmosphere. He concluded by reiterating the need to maintain their momentum as they work toward improving themselves even further.
“There’s nothing for me to feel as if there’s going to be any downturn in our performances. We just need to keep our shoulders to the wheel, recognize we need to keep improving, and keep trying to win that fight with ourselves to get better.” – Derek McInnes
Hearts are proving that they’re not done capitalizing on that early-season success. McInnes’ abject goal is to keep each and every one of his players hungry and interested.
Gordon’s Return and National Team Prospects
Craig Gordon’s return from injury makes this a double dose of intrigue preparing for Hearts and Scotland’s national team preparations. With Gunn now out, Gordon’s wealth of experience will be invaluable as Scotland prepare for their European Qualifiers later this year. Tactician McInnes will be confident in Gordon’s ability to rise to the occasion at this pivotal moment in time.
“I think if anybody could do it, Craig would be able to deal with that side of it, but that’s up for Steve (Clarke) to decide.” – Derek McInnes
In the coming weeks, we will begin to see just how fit and sharp Gordon is. …goals He is fiercely competitive by nature and keen to regain his status as Scotland’s first choice goalkeeper. His impressive experience and talents are a huge boon for Hearts. He serves in an important counterbalancing role as the chief supporter of those touching national aspirations.
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