***** Official Heart of Midlothian v The Rangers Scottish Cup Final 2022 Match Thread *****

[Kiwidoug]

Happy with that.  Rangers had slightly the better of it but we hit rhe post.

[Maroonjam]

Boyce does the donkey work but doesn't play simple passes when he needs to. His link up is what let's him down as far to slow to pass. Won more headers today than normal, Simms needs to actually anticipate he will win one as playing too close to each other right now. 

 

Good first half. First team to score wins. 

[Gizmo]

Simms man, I’d break the bank to sign him. 

[Muppetboy]

Concerned about Cochrane defensively, Atkinson too, Kent’s got him on toast

[trotter]

6 minutes ago, Maroonjam said:

Woodwork doesn't count as a shot on target?

Nope. A shot on target is defined as if it isn't stopped by an opposing player then it would be a goal. 

[Hearts1975]

2 minutes ago, Harry Potter said:

started well but fading away

He isn't fully fit and a yard off the pace 

That said he has been involved in most of our attacks 

Think he got another knock in the middle of the park 

Folk saying he's pish - honestly. Great player for us 

[TEXPOW]

4 minutes ago, Jamhammer said:

Mackay needs to up it

Indeed , he has some magic in his feet. We need to see it.

[pettigrewsstylist]

Just now, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Simms has been immense.

 

We're doing this!

 

COME ON!

He exudes quiet confidence and quality. Real find for me.

[NANOJAMBO]

Strange game so far , Rangers seem very subdued.

Simms is the best player on the pitch and Boyce needs to get switched on. 

[Hearts1975]

Just now, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Simms has been immense.

 

We're doing this!

 

COME ON!

100%. His physicality is just immense 

Fantastic player - just hope we can get him for another year 

Would be the best signing we make this year in all honesty 

[Sertse]

55 minutes ago, Doc Rob said:

This was planned and booked months ago, before the Cup Final was ever on the horizon. And it was in my diary, and I didn’t notice the clash until much more recently. So it’s on me. It’s fine, I’ve come to terms with it. If I can’t be there, or at least in the pub with like-minded friends, not watching live is probably better for my blood pressure anyway.

My Mrs has asked me if I'm going to have a heart attack 3 times so far.

Considering I'm 30 and I'm in pretty good shape, maybe.

[usagi]

Just now, Muppetboy said:

Concerned about Cochrane defensively, Atkinson too, Kent’s got him on toast

My concern also

[Tasavallan]

1 minute ago, pettigrewsstylist said:

Whilst Atkinson brings a fair bit up top, in a 3-5-2 you need guys who understand how to defend and deny space in that position. Its a free cross into box almost  every time for der hun down that side  so far.

He is having to cover both Bassey & Kent down Hearts right side.  Needs to be sorted at HT.

[SomethingAboutObua]

Doing alright, no one's shite today so far but hopefully we ramp up the intensity second half as they tire. Clearly letting them try to tire themselves out. Not fully sure if we're letting Bassey run rampant on purpose or just not dealing with him at all? 

[buzzbomb1958]

Just now, Maroonjam said:

Boyce does the donkey work but doesn't play simple passes when he needs to. His link up is what let's him down as far to slow to pass. Won more headers today than normal, Simms needs to actually anticipate he will win one as playing too close to each other right now. 

 

Good first half. First team to score wins. 

Spot on he gets in but either falls over the ball or pick the wrong pass hope he scores though 

[Cruyff]

Played well. 

 

Souttar is something else. How do we replace him. 

[Sertse]

Not sure if I'm being biased but it seems fairly even, maybe even slightly in our favour. We look more dangerous with the ball. Do I have my maroon tinted glasses on?

[gregzy2k7]

We've been really good so far both players and fans are up for this, the only thing I'm worried about is Kent and Bassey doubling up on Atkinson, one of the centre halfs (probably souttar) needs to come across more and help him out more.

Apart from that we have had the best chance and have looked very good, more of the same in second half please.

[HeartsandonlyHearts]

We’re doing decent. Cochrane and Atkinson need to wake up though. 
HHGH

 

[iantjambo]

2 minutes ago, Gizmo said:

Simms man, I’d break the bank to sign him. 

Absolute powerhouse up front.

[Scott980612]

Souttar & Simms have been excellent 
Cochrane positioning all over the place. 
 
still very much in this game  

 
Ginnelly / woodburn could be an option at about 60-65 mins 

[Riccarton3]

McKay quiet. He though has the composure to play the pass. Just do it once Barrie

[Cruyff]

Simms is worth breaking our transfer record for. 💯%

[pettigrewsstylist]

1 minute ago, Maroonjam said:

Boyce does the donkey work but doesn't play simple passes when he needs to. His link up is what let's him down as far to slow to pass. Won more headers today than normal, Simms needs to actually anticipate he will win one as playing too close to each other right now. 

 

Good first half. First team to score wins. 

If Simms doesnt get on the end of his sclaff we would be discussing his pathetic effort at goal early on. He requires far too many chances to get one on target these days for me. Like him, wish i could say otherwise.

[Fitzroy Pointon]

6 minutes ago, Jamhammer said:

Been immense

 

This. 

[buzzbomb1958]

Just now, Sertse said:

Not sure if I'm being biased but it seems fairly even, maybe even slightly in our favour. We look more dangerous with the ball. Do I have my maroon tinted glasses on?

No if hearts can up the tempo it’s ours Sevco look flat

[Hearts1975]

If you nullify rangers on the flanks they have nothing else.

We need to get closer to them in wide areas and hit them quickly rather than stand off them 

That's the key to winning this game 

[chrystaf]

3 minutes ago, redjambo said:

That was ok. We can't keep letting Rangers have solid chances like that though - they'll put one away if we do.

Agree, we're letting too many crosses into our box and by the law of averages one will count.

[Sertse]

1 minute ago, Cruyff said:

Played well. 

 

Souttar is something else. How do we replace him. 

Trust in savage. EPL reserve sides/U23 are a goldmine.

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

1 minute ago, Tasavallan said:

He is having to cover both Bassey & Kent down Hearts right side.  Needs to be sorted at HT.

I'd bring Smith on for Cochrane and go 4-2-3-1. Push Atkinson into the three with Boyce and McKay

[OmiyaHearts]

Its been mainly rangers but chances 50 50. Well in with a chance 

[iantjambo]

1 minute ago, HeartsandonlyHearts said:

We’re doing decent. Cochrane and Atkinson need to wake up though. 
HHGH

 

Agree with this. We look most vulnerable down the flanks

[Riccarton3]

1 minute ago, Sertse said:

Not sure if I'm being biased but it seems fairly even, maybe even slightly in our favour. We look more dangerous with the ball. Do I have my maroon tinted glasses on?

No. We've worked the ball well, competed well. Thrown up yet?

[Sertse]

1 minute ago, Cruyff said:

Simms is worth breaking our transfer record for. 💯%

Absolute standout so far. He's there to win, no doubt about it. 

[Cruyff]

Just now, Sertse said:

Trust in savage. EPL reserve sides/U23 are a goldmine.

Indeed. EPL sides stockpiling players is good for sides like us.

[Maple Leaf]

We're doing OK.  We can win this.

[4marsbars]

8 minutes ago, buzzbomb1958 said:

Boyce is pish

You're obviously not watching

[Kennyfragg13]

Need Gino on for boyce it will stop bassey going forward

[Ray Gin]

Happy with that first half.

 

Hopefully Rangers haven't been holding back a bit to conserve energy after midweek before moving up a gear.

 

If they tire and we can keep up the intensity, we might just do this.

 

 

[Tasavallan]

While Boyce has been immense, his ball control at times lets him down.  It looked like he twisted an ankle when he stood on the ball.

[Deevers]

They’ll hopefully tire as the game goes on. Made for Ginnelly to come on and run them ragged

[RENE]

 Boyce is having a good game..... unfortunately  still holding on  to the ball too long.

[Scott980612]

Boyce has been utter pish for months - but he has a decent game and still a very important player in this match 

[Sertse]

Just now, Riccarton3 said:

No. We've worked the ball well, competed well. Thrown up yet?

The sauce has settled my nerves a bit🤣 good performance so far. When the traditional second half side come on it should be in the bag.

[indianajones]

Just now, RENE said:

 Boyce is having a good game..... unfortunately  still holding on  to the ball too long.

 

If he could use it quicker he probably wouldn't be at Hearts. He needs to waken up a bit and pass a lot faster. 

[The White Cockade]

Souttar the best player on the park

Horrible feeling knowing after this game he's off to that mob

[Sertse]

1 minute ago, Kennyfragg13 said:

Need Gino on for boyce it will stop bassey going forward

His shooting is poor, as long as he can get the ball to Simms we're in with a shout

[Eldar Hadzimehmedovic]

Few tidbits. Happy to get to the break. Boyce, Simms and Souttar brilliant. Atkinson being hung out to dry. Disappointed in Kingsley considering he's had almost no defending to do because everything is coming down their left. Rangers fitness levels are unreal. Someone needs to stop Bassey sooner, preferably Devlin who is again lacking in awareness. 

[PhoenixHearts]

0-0 at the half surely favours the more rested team?

Best chance of the game so far for Simms.

Nervy stuff but we look confident enough.

A little shaky at both wing back positions, but Kingsley and Souttar offering good support there. Both McKay and Boyce need to waken up a wee bit, but we're more than in this.

[Carl Fredrickson]

Still in this game at HT. I am happy with that. We have forwards that can create chances, need to take one. 

 

Midfield are working hard but sevco are doing us down the wings. 

 

COME ON HEARTS!!!!!!