B team / U19 / Academy 2025-26

[Gorgierools]

17 hours ago, Penicuik Athletic said:

All the goals from Aaron Somerville's Testimonial this afternoon, thank you to Hearts for coming!

 

 

Christ our lot look so young

[Chuck Berry]

Tonight:

Spartans (first team) v Hearts B at Ainslie Park.

Ko 7.45

[HmfcLions]

Interesting to hear McInnes saying last night that none of our youngsters are anywhere near the first team level at the minute and he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon either 

[Chuck Berry]

14 minutes ago, HmfcLions said:

Interesting to hear McInnes saying last night that none of our youngsters are anywhere near the first team level at the minute and he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon either 

 

That's not what he said.  He said there would have been youngsters (B players) taken on the Spain trip normally but that due to the bloated first team squad there was no room on the plane (which drew laughs).  Tait he would have liked to have had more time with but Livi wanted him on loan for their pre-season otherwise no loan, so they allowed him to go now.  Wilson he is impressed with and he rates highly.

 

For the current B players he didn't say "they're nowhere near first team and doesn't expect that to change". He highlighed how difficult it is for young players to make that step, Beith/Wallace/Shelley Kerr working on pathways, loans etc etc.

 

He's hardly going to hang them all out to dry with a comment you claimed he made, which he didn't.

[Mikey1874]

9 minutes ago, Chuck Berry said:

 

That's not what he said.  He said there would have been youngsters (B players) taken on the Spain trip normally but that due to the bloated first team squad there was no room on the plane (which drew laughs).  Tait he would have liked to have had more time with but Livi wanted him on loan for their pre-season otherwise no loan, so they allowed him to go now.  Wilson he is impressed with and he rates highly.

 

For the current B players he didn't say "they're nowhere near first team and doesn't expect that to change". He highlighed how difficult it is for young players to make that step, Beith/Wallace/Shelley Kerr working on pathways, loans etc etc.

 

He's hardly going to hang them all out to dry with a comment you claimed he made, which he didn't.

 

He did say no one is ready currently.

[Chuck Berry]

28 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

He did say no one is ready 

 

Not in that manner he didn't, he put it into context as I stated above. 

[Gundermann]

3 hours ago, Chuck Berry said:

Tonight:

Spartans (first team) v Hearts B at Ainslie Park.

Ko 7.45

 

Advertised as a Hearts XI, so hoped some of the fringe 1st team squad would be involved. Are they still in Spain?

 

Mike take the boys to this anyway. U16s free.

[Portable Badger]

14 minutes ago, Gundermann said:

 

Advertised as a Hearts XI, so hoped some of the fringe 1st team squad would be involved. Are they still in Spain?

 

Mike take the boys to this anyway. U16s free.

Everyone is back from Spain. You still in Peebles ???

 

😉

[Chuck Berry]

39 minutes ago, Gundermann said:

Advertised as a Hearts XI, so hoped some of the fringe 1st team squad would be involved. Are they still in Spain?

 

Mike take the boys to this anyway. U16s free.

 

It's a B fixture as far as Hearts are concerned, doubtful any first teamers will be involved.

[Portable Badger]

Is there likely to be any link for the game tonight?

[Gundermann]

51 minutes ago, Portable Badger said:

Everyone is back from Spain. You still in Peebles ???

 

😉

 

 

Have been away likes but Peebles?!

[Niemi’s gloves]

51 minutes ago, Chuck Berry said:

 

It's a B fixture as far as Hearts are concerned, doubtful any first teamers will be involved.

You’re probably right but I hope that there isn’t a rigid division between “B team” players and “first team players” when it comes to the 6 challenge cup games starting next month. That competition is effectively under-21 not under-20 and in addition allows three overage players. It would be crazy if we stuck to treating it as a pure B team competition (as we have in the last couple of years) at a time when our B team pool will be stretched (U-19 league plus Lowland League) while some first team players may be struggling to get game time. 

[HmfcLions]

3 hours ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

He did say no one is ready currently.

Thanks for backing that up. Knew I hadn’t heard him wrong when he said it 

[Mikey1874]

 

[Mikey1874]

The starting XI as our B-team take on @SpartansFC at our mutual home, 19:45 KO🤝

23. J.Lyon
2. G.Crookston
3. H.James
5. L.Smith
6. A.Osborne
9. C.Dow
11. D.Plank
12. E.Glasgow
20. G.Stevenson
24. B.McLuckie
32. C.Sandilands©️

 

And on the bench for the Wee Jambos:

1. J.MacDonald
4. K.Smutek
7. M.Ross
8. M.Gillies
10. A.Haddow
14. O.Muirhead

 

With coaches Angus Beith and David McNeil. 

[Mikey1874]

4 hours ago, Chuck Berry said:

 

That's not what he said.  He said there would have been youngsters (B players) taken on the Spain trip normally but that due to the bloated first team squad there was no room on the plane (which drew laughs).  Tait he would have liked to have had more time with but Livi wanted him on loan for their pre-season otherwise no loan, so they allowed him to go now.  Wilson he is impressed with and he rates highly.

 

For the current B players he didn't say "they're nowhere near first team and doesn't expect that to change". He highlighed how difficult it is for young players to make that step, Beith/Wallace/Shelley Kerr working on pathways, loans etc etc.

 

He's hardly going to hang them all out to dry with a comment you claimed he made, which he didn't.

 

He said no one is ready to join the first team.

 

It was very clear.

 

So who is ready?

Edited July 8, 2025 by Mikey1874

[HMFC01]

25 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

The starting XI as our B-team take on @SpartansFC at our mutual home, 19:45 KO🤝

23. J.Lyon
2. G.Crookston
3. H.James
5. L.Smith
6. A.Osborne
9. C.Dow
11. D.Plank
12. E.Glasgow
20. G.Stevenson
24. B.McLuckie
32. C.Sandilands©️

 

And on the bench for the Wee Jambos:

1. J.MacDonald
4. K.Smutek
7. M.Ross
8. M.Gillies
10. A.Haddow
14. O.Muirhead

 

With coaches Angus Beith and David McNeil. 

 

Is that official.   Guy on the tannoy said 12 is a trialist.

[Mikey1874]

5 minutes ago, HMFC01 said:

 

Is that official.   Guy on the tannoy said 12 is a trialist.

 

Maybe 

 

 

 

[HMFC01]

4 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

Maybe 

 

 

 

 

Yeah probably them.   👍 

[HMFC01]

0-1  Crookston from McLuckie.

[Mikey1874]

 

[HMFC01]

Two for Crookston

 

Left foot curler , top corner.

[HMFC01]

Soft as **** penalty for Spartans, shoulder to shoulder, a slight tap.   2-2 HT.

Edited July 8, 2025 by HMFC01

[Portable Badger]

24 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

Well done Wee Hearts.

 

Thanks for the updates 

[TheBigO]

On 05/07/2025 at 15:35, Mikey1874 said:

 

Shit! When did we sign R Kelly?

[John Findlay]

So what was the final score at The Spartans?

[Footballfirst]

I watched the first half of the U19s v Edinburgh City game before heading out to Ainslie Park for the game v Spartans.

 

The U19s should be embarrassed by their start to the game, 3-0 down after 25 minutes, and it perhaps should have 5 or 6. Just as well Callen Robb scored with a couple of opportunist chances just before the break. I assume they improved after the break with Callen completing his hat trick and Sam Dickov scoring a last minute winner.

 

The B Team game was fairly even with both sides having periods of ascendency. Hearts were unlucky not to get at least a draw, having conceded two very soft penalties and a scrappy third. A last minute acrobatic clearance off the line denied Hearts a deserved equaliser.  Gregor Crookston took his goals well.

 

I don't think playing Callum Sandilands as a holding midfielder worked very well. He's not a natural creative player and is much more effective playing in a more attacking role where his predatory instincts are to Hearts advantage.

 

 

 

[Chuck Berry]

3 hours ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

He said no one is ready to join the first team.

 

It was very clear.

 

So who is ready?

 

It wasn't, but we'll leave it there as you're irked I picked you up earlier on something you claimed he said but didn't.

[Chuck Berry]

25 minutes ago, John Findlay said:

So what was the final score at The Spartans?

 

3-2 to Spartans.

 

Hearts were the better team for long spells in the game, but Spartans were awarded two penalties first half, both looked soft particularly the second.

 

Crookston scored twice and was denied a hattrick in the last minute after he got on the end of a looping ball and lobbed the keeper only for a last gasp clearance to deny him.

 

A good, competitve game with a near full strength B team.   Kenzi Nair appeared as a trialist for Spartans, and struggled a wee bit early on.

[Chuck Berry]

4 hours ago, Niemi’s gloves said:

You’re probably right but I hope that there isn’t a rigid division between “B team” players and “first team players” when it comes to the 6 challenge cup games starting next month. That competition is effectively under-21 not under-20 and in addition allows three overage players. It would be crazy if we stuck to treating it as a pure B team competition (as we have in the last couple of years) at a time when our B team pool will be stretched (U-19 league plus Lowland League) while some first team players may be struggling to get game time. 

 

Well there has very rarely been any recognised first team players fielded by Hearts in this competition and I don't really see that changing.  

[Boyz]

26 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

I watched the first half of the U19s v Edinburgh City game before heading out to Ainslie Park for the game v Spartans.

 

The U19s should be embarrassed by their start to the game, 3-0 down after 25 minutes, and it perhaps should have 5 or 6. Just as well Callen Robb scored with a couple of opportunist chances just before the break. I assume they improved after the break with Callen completing his hat trick and Sam Dickov scoring a last minute winner.

 

The B Team game was fairly even with both sides having periods of ascendency. Hearts were unlucky not to get at least a draw, having conceded two very soft penalties and a scrappy third. A last minute acrobatic clearance off the line denied Hearts a deserved equaliser.  Gregor Crookston took his goals well.

 

I don't think playing Callum Sandilands as a holding midfielder worked very well. He's not a natural creative player and is much more effective playing in a more attacking role where his predatory instincts are to Hearts advantage.

 

 

 

You would have enjoyed the second half more - Hearts were much better in the second, a stronger performance with quicker passing some great saves and they looked a lot more on top of it, a much better watch than the first half for sure. 

[John Findlay]

5 hours ago, Chuck Berry said:

 

3-2 to Spartans.

 

Hearts were the better team for long spells in the game, but Spartans were awarded two penalties first half, both looked soft particularly the second.

 

Crookston scored twice and was denied a hattrick in the last minute after he got on the end of a looping ball and lobbed the keeper only for a last gasp clearance to deny him.

 

A good, competitve game with a near full strength B team.   Kenzi Nair appeared as a trialist for Spartans, and struggled a wee bit early on.

Thanks for that.

[GinRummy]

15 hours ago, HmfcLions said:

Interesting to hear McInnes saying last night that none of our youngsters are anywhere near the first team level at the minute and he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon either 

What’s the ****in point in this shit? You clearly know what he actually did say. 

[HmfcLions]

4 hours ago, GinRummy said:

What’s the ****in point in this shit? You clearly know what he actually did say. 

Yes I do know as I was there and other people have also backed up what I relayed on here so I really don’t understand your point?

 

Rob Borthwick said one thing that is always important to Hearts supporters is seeing youth players progressing in the first team. He mentioned Adam and James as examples from last year and asked if we could expect to see any pushing on in a similar vein. McInnes said the youth set up is very good and he’s pleased with the work Angus, Shelley etc are doing there but at the moment there’s nobody from the B team knocking at the door and he doesn’t expect that to change at all this season as they are all a fair bit away.
 

He also said Kenzi Nair trained with the first team that morning as they were short on numbers for a drill and he done well and gave a good account of himself although he did forget to clear away the bibs etc afterwards. 

[GinRummy]

1 minute ago, HmfcLions said:

Yes I do know as I was there and other people have also backed up what I relayed on here so I really don’t understand your point?

 

Rob Borthwick said one thing that is always important to Hearts supporters is seeing youth players progressing in the first team. He mentioned Adam and James as examples from last year and asked if we could expect to see any pushing on in a similar vein. McInnes said the youth set up is very good and he’s pleased with the work Angus, Shelley etc are doing there but at the moment there’s nobody from the B team knocking at the door and he doesn’t expect that to change at all this season as they are all a fair bit away.
 

He also said Kenzi Nair trained with the first team that morning as they were short on numbers for a drill and he done well and gave a good account of himself although he did forget to clear away the bibs etc afterwards. 

My point is people on here who I trust more than you have describe what was actually said without the negative slant you decided to put on it in your first post

 

which was this

 

• Registered Users A
• 
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Posted 20 hours ago

Interesting to hear McInnes saying last night that none of our youngsters are anywhere near the first team level at the minute and he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon either

 

 

 

as opposed to this from someone else

 

That's not what he said.  He said there would have been youngsters (B players) taken on the Spain trip normally but that due to the bloated first team squad there was no room on the plane (which drew laughs).  Tait he would have liked to have had more time with but Livi wanted him on loan for their pre-season otherwise no loan, so they allowed him to go now.  Wilson he is impressed with and he rates highly.

 

For the current B players he didn't say "they're nowhere near first team and doesn't expect that to change". He highlighed how difficult it is for young players to make that step, Beith/Wallace/Shelley Kerr working on pathways, loans etc etc.

 

He's hardly going to hang them all out to dry with a comment you claimed he made, which he didn't.

 

One is the whole story and one is entirely negative

[Mikey1874]

2 hours ago, HmfcLions said:

Yes I do know as I was there and other people have also backed up what I relayed on here so I really don’t understand your point?

 

Rob Borthwick said one thing that is always important to Hearts supporters is seeing youth players progressing in the first team. He mentioned Adam and James as examples from last year and asked if we could expect to see any pushing on in a similar vein. McInnes said the youth set up is very good and he’s pleased with the work Angus, Shelley etc are doing there but at the moment there’s nobody from the B team knocking at the door and he doesn’t expect that to change at all this season as they are all a fair bit away.
 

He also said Kenzi Nair trained with the first team that morning as they were short on numbers for a drill and he done well and gave a good account of himself although he did forget to clear away the bibs etc afterwards. 

 

That is what was said word for word.

 

Maybe the people who disagree could explain what has actually upset them.

 

I think they just see it as a slight on the youth players they like which it clearly isn't. They just need more time. And it's a incentive.

 

As I also said which B team players should be joining the first team now?

[HmfcLions]

9 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

That is what was said word for word.

 

Maybe the people who disagree could explain what has actually upset them.

 

I think they just see it as a slight on the youth players they like which it clearly isn't. They just need more time. And it's a incentive.

 

As I also said which B team players should be joining the first team now?

Unbelievable response from him eh? Utterly bizarre to say it’s lies when I’ve just repeated what McInnes said word for word.
 

As an aside, I watch the B team and U18’s on a regular basis so it’s not like I have some sort of vendetta against them. 

[FIGJAM]

I wasn't at the meeting on Monday night. Interesting to hear the chat on youth players. Even before Monday night, it was hard to imagine anyone getting the opportunity to get first team minutes with such a big squad.

Tait (my favourite player) has made a great decision to play regular first team minutes in the premiership. I think there a few experienced B Team players who will decide to play in the Championship or Division 1 should a loan deal be forthcoming. 

The interesting ones for me are Osborne and McMeekin. They are not going to play first team minutes this season on ability alone.  Hearts can not compete on money, but what they can do is get them into first team training and possibly first team squads (Cup games??) as part of a planned development programme. Wilson was lucky as opportunity knocked and he took it. Would he be where he is now had Hearts not had a striker shortage last season and also not changed their mgr? Who knows. I do hope a year from now both Osborne and McMeekin are still at the club and continue to excel.

Sometimes a player(s) comes along who needs to be treated differently. I would argue these two fall into that category. I am interested to follow how both get on this year.

[TheBigO]

10 minutes ago, FIGJAM said:

I wasn't at the meeting on Monday night. Interesting to hear the chat on youth players. Even before Monday night, it was hard to imagine anyone getting the opportunity to get first team minutes with such a big squad.

Tait (my favourite player) has made a great decision to play regular first team minutes in the premiership. I think there a few experienced B Team players who will decide to play in the Championship or Division 1 should a loan deal be forthcoming. 

The interesting ones for me are Osborne and McMeekin. They are not going to play first team minutes this season on ability alone.  Hearts can not compete on money, but what they can do is get them into first team training and possibly first team squads (Cup games??) as part of a planned development programme. Wilson was lucky as opportunity knocked and he took it. Would he be where he is now had Hearts not had a striker shortage last season and also not changed their mgr? Who knows. I do hope a year from now both Osborne and McMeekin are still at the club and continue to excel.

Sometimes a player(s) comes along who needs to be treated differently. I would argue these two fall into that category. I am interested to follow how both get on this year.

If we dont sogn another cm, there has to be a chance Osborne at least makes a few squads this season. A lot of transfer window left mind you!!

[Footballfirst]

1 minute ago, FIGJAM said:

I wasn't at the meeting on Monday night. Interesting to hear the chat on youth players. Even before Monday night, it was hard to imagine anyone getting the opportunity to get first team minutes with such a big squad.

Tait (my favourite player) has made a great decision to play regular first team minutes in the premiership. I think there a few experienced B Team players who will decide to play in the Championship or Division 1 should a loan deal be forthcoming. 

The interesting ones for me are Osborne and McMeekin. They are not going to play first team minutes this season on ability alone.  Hearts can not compete on money, but what they can do is get them into first team training and possibly first team squads (Cup games??) as part of a planned development programme. Wilson was lucky as opportunity knocked and he took it. Would he be where he is now had Hearts not had a striker shortage last season and also not changed their mgr? Who knows. I do hope a year from now both Osborne and McMeekin are still at the club and continue to excel.

Sometimes a player(s) comes along who needs to be treated differently. I would argue these two fall into that category. I am interested to follow how both get on this year.

I think Macaulay would have liked the opportunity to do a pre season with the first team and challenge for a squad place, but was punted out on loan without that chance.

 

Alfie was close to making his debut at the end of last season, so should still be in with a shout. In the B Team's games I've seen this season, he is the one who sticks out as the most assured player, so I think it was wrong of DM to suggest that no-one is knocking on the door and doesn't expect things to change over the season.

 

As for Keir he won't be 16 until February, so won't even be able to play for the B Team before then. I thought he may have featured with the U19s, but only returned to training this week after being on holiday (he was watch the U19s game from the bench last night along with Stanley Wilson who is injured).

 

Sweeping statements that young players aren't close to being part of the first team squad could be counter productive and make it more likely that the best of the youth players will choose to leave, if they consider the pathway to have been ripped up.

[jamboinglasgow]

12 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

I think Macaulay would have liked the opportunity to do a pre season with the first team and challenge for a squad place, but was punted out on loan without that chance.

 

Alfie was close to making his debut at the end of last season, so should still be in with a shout. In the B Team's games I've seen this season, he is the one who sticks out as the most assured player, so I think it was wrong of DM to suggest that no-one is knocking on the door and doesn't expect things to change over the season.

 

As for Keir he won't be 16 until February, so won't even be able to play for the B Team before then. I thought he may have featured with the U19s, but only returned to training this week after being on holiday (he was watch the U19s game from the bench last night along with Stanley Wilson who is injured).

 

Sweeping statements that young players aren't close to being part of the first team squad could be counter productive and make it more likely that the best of the youth players will choose to leave, if they consider the pathway to have been ripped up.

 

On Tait, cant remember if it was from an interview with McInnes or from Monday night, but McInnes did say that he wanted Tait to go through pre-season with the team, but Martindale told Hearts that he has to come to Livi at that time for pre-season or the loan is off, whether Hearts could have said no and kept him longer for pre-season who knows but the risk was Livi is an ideal fit for Tait and if they said no Livi could recruit someone else and the door is closed.

 

I do agree that I think McInnes' words from the sound of it were a bit unwise. Especially saying he doesn't think anyone from the B team will be breakthrough all season. It does feel a bit like Neilson, who kept talking about a level players need to be at a level which was never going to be reached. I do think a manager should be dangling that chance to younger players in how they talk to get them push a level, perhaps a better wording would be "At this moment there is no one who will move up, but I do think that if the players raise their level over the season and take the opportunities that are handed them in training, then they may step up this season."

[FIGJAM]

1 hour ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

On Tait, cant remember if it was from an interview with McInnes or from Monday night, but McInnes did say that he wanted Tait to go through pre-season with the team, but Martindale told Hearts that he has to come to Livi at that time for pre-season or the loan is off, whether Hearts could have said no and kept him longer for pre-season who knows but the risk was Livi is an ideal fit for Tait and if they said no Livi could recruit someone else and the door is closed.

 

I do agree that I think McInnes' words from the sound of it were a bit unwise. Especially saying he doesn't think anyone from the B team will be breakthrough all season. It does feel a bit like Neilson, who kept talking about a level players need to be at a level which was never going to be reached. I do think a manager should be dangling that chance to younger players in how they talk to get them push a level, perhaps a better wording would be "At this moment there is no one who will move up, but I do think that if the players raise their level over the season and take the opportunities that are handed them in training, then they may step up this season."

@jamboinglasgow @Footballfirst agree with both of you. Will be interesting to see if there any developments. My hope is that DM is removing pressure and expectation just now.

[jamboinglasgow]

1 minute ago, FIGJAM said:

@jamboinglasgow @Footballfirst agree with both of you. Will be interesting to see if there any developments. My hope is that DM is removing pressure and expectation just now.

 

I do hope so.

 

My worry is that it becomes again "We will have youngsters come through next year, we are so close" which feels like it has been going on for the last two decades (with the exceptions being when the club had admin in 2013 and the injury crisis in 17/18 (which the following season Levein just abandons the youngsters to sign tons of players.)

[Chuck Berry]

5 hours ago, GinRummy said:

My point is people on here who I trust more than you have describe what was actually said without the negative slant you decided to put on it in your first post

 

which was this

 

• Registered Users A
• 
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Posted 20 hours ago

Interesting to hear McInnes saying last night that none of our youngsters are anywhere near the first team level at the minute and he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon either

 

 

 

as opposed to this from someone else

 

That's not what he said.  He said there would have been youngsters (B players) taken on the Spain trip normally but that due to the bloated first team squad there was no room on the plane (which drew laughs).  Tait he would have liked to have had more time with but Livi wanted him on loan for their pre-season otherwise no loan, so they allowed him to go now.  Wilson he is impressed with and he rates highly.

 

For the current B players he didn't say "they're nowhere near first team and doesn't expect that to change". He highlighed how difficult it is for young players to make that step, Beith/Wallace/Shelley Kerr working on pathways, loans etc etc.

 

He's hardly going to hang them all out to dry with a comment you claimed he made, which he didn't.

 

One is the whole story and one is entirely negative

 

I don't understand why these posters want to twist McInnes's words without context.  It comes across as him saying "They're not good enough and won't be anytime soon" it wasn't said in that tone at all, it was more about recognition that those current B team players need to work hard at what they do and it's difficult for youngsters these days to break through, that's true and everyone knows that, it's hardly a shock. 

[GinRummy]

10 minutes ago, Chuck Berry said:

 

I don't understand why these posters want to twist McInnes's words without context.  It comes across as him saying "They're not good enough and won't be anytime soon" it wasn't said in that tone at all, it was more about recognition that those current B team players need to work hard at what they do and it's difficult for youngsters these days to break through, that's true and everyone knows that, it's hardly a shock. 

Aye it just pisses me off folk looking for the most negative slant on absolutely everything. Agree about the young guys. Must be gutting for them if they don’t make it as a pro. Always feel bad for the young guys that get let go each summer. 

[Batfink]

Anyone know how the U19s/B- Team are getting on in Burnley? Times of games, is it today or tomorrow they play, teams? Is it Burnley U18s they're playing?

[Chuck Berry]

They're playing Bamber Bridge Reserves at 7.00pm.  The Burnley U19 game was an afternoon  ko.

[LeylandJambo]

Just found out they're at Bamber bridge tonight. 10 minutes from my house so nice surprise.

[Batfink]

12 minutes ago, Chuck Berry said:

They're playing Bamber Bridge Reserves at 7.00pm.  The Burnley U19 game was an afternoon  ko.

Cheers 👍

[JamboRed]

6-1 to Burnley in the afternoon game. Was mostly B team boys.