🏴🏆 My Scottish Premiership Team of the Season
• Could have shoehorned Tierney in at right back but think Milne has had the better season.
• Halkett edges it for me over Findlay.
• Devlin pipping Watt but not much in it.
Rest of the team speaks for itself really. Thoughts?
🗣️ "He goes to kick the ball, but catches the player on the back of the head..."
Ref Watch discuss the decision to award Hearts a late penalty in their 3-1 win against Motherwell ⤵️
@RossUKRFC@kennywales89@edintravel@Edinburgh_CC Never seen anything like it , an hour and a half to get from the start of the slip road to hermiston roundabout to the gogar roundabout at 8am this morning. Cannot believe that was given the go ahead
🏴 John Souttar featured in five of Scotland's 2026 World Cup qualification matches - but has Craig Halkett done enough this season to contend for that spot?
Their numbers are interesting and raise the question about what Scotland need from their centre-backs this summer 👇
John Souttar:
Souttar's biggest asset has often been his ability on the ball:
• top 2% for long ball accuracy (58.3%)
• top 12% for passing accuracy (90.3%)
His raw defensive numbers are largely suppressed due to Rangers' possession-heavy style, meaning he doesn't need to defend as often.
He does however rank in the top 24% for % of aerial duels won (65.1%).
Craig Halkett:
Defensively, and particularly in the air, Halkett has been a machine for Hearts this season.
• no player has won more aerial duels (5.8 p90)
• top 4% for clearances (8.7)
• top 10% for aerial duels won % (68.8%)
• top 17% for interceptions (1.4 p90)
In possession, Halkett isn't quite as strong but is capable of finding a long pass, top 8% for long ball accuracy (52%).
Verdict:
Scotland has two very different types of centre back here: Souttar who excels with the ball at his feet and can dictate play from deep vs Halkett who is dominant in the air and more solid defensively.
Whilst football isn't as black and white as this, in theory two factors play into who should get the nod:
1. Scotland backline - should the right back and other centre back be more progressive and comfortable with the ball at their feet, maybe Halkett's defensive and aerial abilities would be a better fit. If not, Souttar's ball playing could be very beneficial.
2. Opposition strength - if Scotland are expected to see a lot of the ball, Souttar is likely to excel. Halkett may be more suited facing physical, target-men type strikers such as Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Whilst I think Halkett's form this season has been superior to Souttar's, he first needs to prove he's capable at international level before being considered as a starter for Scotland. The upcoming Japan and Ivory Coast friendlies could be a perfect time to showcase he's ready.
📊I didn't think anyone could fill Cammy Devlin's shoes when he was ruled out for 6-8 weeks in January - then Marc Leonard came along.
The Birmingham City loanee has slotted seamlessly into that Hearts midfield, filling a void I'm not sure many could.
He might not provide the energy or cover the ground that Devlin does, but he certainly gets stuck in - ranking in the top 3% for tackles, interceptions, and % of ground duels won.
On the ball he's very intelligent, capable of picking a pass and looks to progress the ball forward whenever possible - often taking more risks resulting in a poorer pass accuracy %.
All round he's been an excellent addition to Hearts, and surely should be pushing for a permanent deal, especially when he's still only 24.
Thoughts, Jambos? #hmfc
🔥Josh McPake has been an absolute stand-out for St Johnstone in the Scottish Championship this season, earning himself a pre-contract move to Hearts.
Comfortably the league’s most dangerous ball-carrier, with real end product to match:
• Goals: 13 (1st)
• Successful dribbles: 188 (1st)
• Key passes: 45 (1st)
• Shots on target: 27 (1st)
• Fouled: 53 (1st)
On paper, he looks a very exciting addition for the Jambos.
(Data: @Sofascore)
✍️ Heart of Midlothian is pleased to announce that Josh McPake will join the club in the summer.
The winger has agreed to make the move to Tynecastle Park upon the expiration of his current contract with St Johnstone.
ℹ️➡️ tinyurl.com/3fjmean8
Hunterfield 3-1 Edinburgh uni 2s
Bare bones for numbers today but the boys dug deep and got the result.
Paul mercer ⚽️⚽️
Marc Fleming ⚽️
Motm- Declan foley 👏🏻
Hearts manager Derek McInnes celebrates a late victory in his first capital derby.
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