Exclusive:‘Big Physical Hearts’ embark on a set-piece blitz with size and aggression ahead of 2025/26 SPFL Premiership.
Derek McInnes, Tynecastle manager, would like to see Premier Sports Cup goals Size and aggression are already a prominent Hearts theme, as a focus on set-pieces pays off in the Premier Sports Cup.
Under new head coach Derek McInnes, set-plays have had a significant impact, both directly and indirectly, with twelve goals in three group games. Hearts hired Ross Grant as their first specialised set-piece coach last month, and his impact is already evident.
Five of the 12 goals scored against Dunfermline, Hamilton, and Stirling Albion came from corner kicks, highlighting both Grant’s importance and the physicality of the new Tynecastle side.
Stephen Kingsley scored a cushioned volley from Harry Milne’s corner kick in a 4-1 victory over Dunfermline, and debutant Stuart Findlay headed home Blair Spittal’s delivery to kick off a 4-0 victory over Hamilton three days later.
Hearts quickly recycled the ball following a corner kick on Saturday against Stirling Albion, with Alexandros Kyziridis crossing for Craig Halkett’s headed opening goal.
Another second-phase after a corner ended with Halkett heading downwards for Claudio Braga to score the second. The game ended 4-0 when Halkett’s header from Yan Dhanda’s corner crossed the line.
Eight players likely to feature regularly for the Edinburgh club are over 6 feet tall: defenders Halkett, Findlay, Milne, Frankie Kent, Jamie McCart, and Michael Steinwender, as well as midfielder Oisin McEntee and striker Lawrence Shankland.
Speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh News, McInnes makes no apologies for ensuring his team’s size and presence. It is something he prioritises, along with assistants Paul Sheerin and Alan Archibald.
Hearts’ final Premier Sports Cup Group E match against Dumbarton at Tynecastle is on Wednesday, and the new league season starts on Monday, August 4th, against Aberdeen. Grant’s set-play expertise is proving useful, and management plans to use it to score more goals. ”
Yes, absolutely,” McInnes replied. “I believe you are looking for that in pre-season games, as well as one or two that we have had to defend, though this may not be the case on Saturday.
I believe we are fairly secure with that work. We have a good size. On Saturday, we had McEntee, Halkett, Findlay, and Shankland to deal with at set-pieces.
If you have three centre-backs, you’ll need another, whether it’s big Michael Steinwender or Frankie Kent.
“You’ve got Jamie McCart coming back from injury, who I’ve always thought was good in the opposition box as well. Like every team, you want to make sure you have that threat. I think it’s important. It can be the difference between no points and one point, or one point and three points. I’d like us to have a reputation of being really strong at set-plays. Ross has clearly had an influence on that.
“Sometimes, as a staff member, you come into a new club and inherit boys. Even from a set-play perspective, we’re all rubbing our hands over our actual size and aggression. Big Stu has a goal, but he did not score at Kilmarnock during the entire season last year.
He was injured for much of last season, but we had others at Kilmarnock, including Joe Wright, Robbie Deas, Corrie Ndaba, and Kyle Vassell.
We obviously had good size and good set-play takers, so I know what we can gain from that. Hopefully, this will continue and gain a reputation.”
The primary goal this week is to secure a Premier Sports Cup last-16 seeding. The three group winners with the best records are seeded for the knockout round, along with Scotland’s five European entrants. With three wins in a row, 12 goals scored, and only one conceded, Hearts are confident they can beat Dumbarton.
“That was the intention that we discussed,” McInnes confirmed. “We had a meeting before the first League Cup game and said:
‘Look, the job is to improve as we progress through the section, win the games, try to keep as many clean sheets as possible, try to show a wee hint of what we want to try and be, but the main criteria is just to go and win the group. If you can get seeded with that, even better.’”
Scottish Premiership season 2025/26 will see a different Hearts side
No-one should suggest Hearts are even close to the team McInnes wants after three wins against lower-division opponents. So far, there are plenty positives for McInnes and his coaches as they assess players, tactics, and formations. They will change between a four-man defence and a five throughout the season ahead.
“There is the opportunity to flip between a back four and a five,” explained the head coach. “Sometimes, depending on our position, we’ll do that because we have that flexibility. We had [midfielder] Beni Baningime out [injured] on Saturday. It was always going to be Cammy [Devlin] and Oisin who started in midfield. We thought they needed more minutes after Beni playing in the last couple of games. I think we’ve got players who can look after the ball, win it in the air, and feed players who can be ball carriers.
“It’s my job to be critical. It’s my job to demand a bit more and expect a bit more, but we have scored 12 goals with one conceded. We should have scored more. I think the fans are turning up still finding out about this Hearts team.I want us to be a tough team to play against.
I don’t think any team has enjoyed playing against us, but we know there will be bigger challenges ahead. I just want us to get into the habit of, no matter what system or opponent we play against, there are little nuances and habits that become natural and habitual.
“You desire that work and influence on the team. A few weeks ago, they didn’t know me, and I didn’t know many of them. We were attempting to integrate and manage a larger squad, as well as integrate new signings, while still winning games.
If you consider where we were three and a half weeks ago, we’ve got to be pleased with this outcome at the minute.”
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