Hearts obliterate Premiership rivals behind closed doors with six-goal masterclass ahead of explosive Hibs showdown
Hearts have recently overtaken Rangers as the second favourites for the Scottish Premiership title, sitting just behind Celtic. This shift in the odds comes at a crucial time, as Hearts are set to face their Edinburgh rivals, Hibs, in a highly anticipated fixture that will test their current form and ambitions.
In preparation, Hearts organised a private friendly against Premiership side Falkirk. The match, which took place behind closed doors, ended in a resounding 6-0 victory for the Jambos. This comprehensive win helped provide game time to several squad members seeking minutes, including younger players and backup options.
Elton Kabangu and Pierre Landry Kabore, the latter netting twice, were among the scorers for Hearts. Teenage left-back Kenzie Nair also found the back of the net, as did young forwards James Wilson and Tommy North, highlighting the club’s depth of emerging talent.
Craig Gordon, who had just been called back into the Scotland national squad by Steve Clarke, played in goal for the first half. He was replaced by Zander Clark for the remainder of the match, as Hearts rotated to give their keepers valuable time on the pitch ahead of important fixtures.
The club also gave second-half opportunities to rising prospects such as Alfie Osborne, Callum Sandilands, and Bobby McLuckie. This approach demonstrated the team’s commitment to developing youth while maintaining competitive standards.
Falkirk, who are themselves preparing to face Rangers in league action, also used the opportunity to experiment with their line-up. Despite making significant changes to their squad, the match proved challenging, and Hearts’ dominance never looked in doubt.
Meanwhile, manager Derek McInnes has had the rare advantage of fielding an unchanged side in consecutive league victories over Rangers and Falkirk. However, Craig Gordon faces stiff competition to reclaim the number one spot, with Alexander Schwolow having recently kept two clean sheets in a row for the team.
