Heart of Midlothian

Watch the best of the action as table-topping Hearts ease to a 3-0 win at Dundee United, who finish with nine men. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after Premiership leaders Hearts eased to a 3-0 win at Dundee United, who finished with nine men.

Here's what some of you said:

Derek: Strong performance on an awful pitch. Really turned up and did the job from the get-go, I'm more impressed with and proud of this Hearts squad every week. Three important players out, and you'd never notice the difference. Intensity is there, teamwork is there, workrate is there, and the new signings just slot right in. Can't wait for the next game, and the next, and the next.

Chris: Was really nice just to enjoy the game as decisions went our way for once. How the referee has needed VAR for two incidents five yards from him I'll never know. Harry Milne was superb and is integral in everything good we do. We go again on Tuesday against St Mirren away, a ground we haven't won at in around 700 years it feels like.

Graham: Great team performance. Three goals and another clean sheet. Should have scored early in the second half and killed the game off. On to next game and same again.

Tam: A brilliant performance with every player giving their all. The team continues to ignore the rhetoric in some quarters, designed to unsettle us and do their talking where it matters. We have never been in a better position on and off the park and there is even more to come from this team. In previous years our injury list would have affected us badly but we have real quality just waiting for their chance and our recruitment has been spot on. A fantastic night, again!

Alan: Derek McInnes has really brought the best out in the team, the energy and tactics were spot on, everyone playing their part, no passengers and I think this togetherness will keep us pushing on to the end of the season.

Renton: Hearts have to improve on this performance if they are to stand a chance of winning the title. Too many wasted opportunities with the final ball.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Claudio Braga insists Hearts are "just taking it game by game" rather than getting caught up in any Premiership title talk.

The capital club further strengthened their position at the top of the table with a comfortable 3-0 win at Dundee United on Saturday night.

It leaves Derek McInnes' side seven points clear at the summit, having lost just two of their 24 league games.

While fans dare to dream about a first top tier championship since 1960, Braga insists Tuesday's trip to St Mirren is the players' soul focus.

"To give you a boring answer, we are just taking it game by game and the only thing we need to know now is how are we going to do against St Mirren," he said.

"We need to take care of that game rather than the rest.

"I feel we are doing our job game by game and time by time we have proved that we can be a good team, we can be a family on the pitch.

"We just cared about Dundee United today and now it has gone, now we care about St Mirren and that is it, we don't care about any other game."

Closest challengers Rangers and Celtic play on Sunday, aiming to cut into Hearts' lead.

When asked about people, outside Tynecastle, expecting the bubble to burst, Braga welcomed the "good pressure" of being out in front.

"We just need to deal with that in a good way and hopefully it doesn't burst at all," he said.

Pierre Landry Kabore's double helped Hearts sweep aside undisciplined nine-man Dundee United and move seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Read the report

Have your say on the game

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Hearts boss Derek McInnes tells BBC Sportsound: "I spoke 'before the game] about how difficult the challenge was going to be.

"We had to turn up tonight and do our work well. I thought we settled and controlled the game really well, particularly with Marc Leonard.

"Once we got that first goal, a brilliant goal from Kabore, I thought we showed real authority, maturity and calmness in the game. It just felt like it was going to be our night.

"I thought we were really strong throughout. I thought we started better, imposed ourself on the game and scored good goals."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United are again without Vicko Sevelj (groin) and Isaac Pappoe (knee) but new goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer could be in the squad.

Hearts could hand a debut to Uganda forward Rogers Mato. Beni Baningime is suspended, while Cammy Devlin (ankle), Stephen Kingsley (groin), Lawrence Shankland, Calem Nieuwenhof, Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) and Christian Borchgrevink are out.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

New signing Rogers Mato aims to become a Hearts "legend" by helping the club to title glory this season.

The Uganda forward has joined on loan from FK Vardar of North Macedonia for the rest of the campaign before penning a three-year contract in the summer.

Hearts are currently top of the Scottish Premiership, four points above Rangers and six clear of Celtic, before Saturday night's trip to face Dundee United as they pursue a first top-flight title since 1960.

Mato played for Uganda at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and scored 15 in 17 games for Macedonian league leaders Vardar this season.

When asked what it would mean to help Hearts lift the trophy in May, Mato said: "Joy, happiness and I think I'll be a legend.

"It will be great for me, my career, for Hearts as well. They've gone so long without taking the cup and it will be my second professional trophy, it will be great."

Despite Vardar accepting a bid from Sporting Kansas City after Mato had signed a pre-contract with Hearts, the 22-year-old insists it was never his intention to move anywhere other than Tynecastle.

"They wanted to sell me there but no one decides your future," he said.

"It's you to decide your future and if you fail, you fail as you. I really liked how the manager proposed Hearts to me so that's why I didn't want to let them down.

"I gave them my trust to come here and they did everything for me to be here so I couldn't let them down.

"Of course I gave them the trust and I had to show my loyalty to them."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Premiership leaders Hearts visit Dundee United on Saturday night.

Here are the key lines from the Hearts boss:

• McInnes is delighted with the arrival of "exciting" Uganda forward Rogers Mato, who goes straight into the squad for Saturday subject to international clearance.

• "He brings a lot of pace," McInnes adds. "He can play across the front line. Sometimes I still feel we need that wee bit more pace at the top end of the pitch. The potential's clear. He's done quite a lot for somebody so young."

• Having signed four players this month, it is "unlikely" there will be any more new recruits but the club are still trying. "We've hit the bar with a couple, to be honest. We've tried to exhaust one or two situations," says McInnes.

• The Hearts boss was "annoyed" by Mark Fotheringham's "out of order" celebration of Celtic's opener at Tynecastle last weekend, but received a call from the Parkhead coach on Monday apologising for his behaviour.

• McInnes says Hearts have had "a good January" - taking 10 points from 12 despite having a man sent off in two games - and the task now is to keep "the story going as long as we can".

• With Rangers and Celtic both playing on Sunday, Hearts can extend their lead on Saturday but McInnes says it is "not really about mind games and trying to send out a signal", adding: "Take care of the game first, win the game and then how people react to that is up to them."

We asked for your views on Hearts securing the early arrival of Uganda forward Rogers Mato.

Here's what some of you said:

Chris: Positive signing and his numbers are good for a young age, especially with the amount of caps he has at international level. Good bit of business to get a loan rather than pay a fee for a player we are getting for free in the summer anyway. Leaves some cash in reserve for another striker perhaps.

Murray: Let's not put too much pressure on him just now, he is here for three and a half years so give home time to bed in and hopefully he'll be a sensation in time.

Alan: His stats look good, hopefully he will hit the ground running like Claudio Braga did, defences won't know how to mark him so that's a plus.

David: Potentially a good signing but let's not compare him to Lawrence Shankland! We now seem to be in a strong position with strikers but James Wilson and Elton Kabangu must be wondering where, or indeed if, they fit into the manager's plans. The squad size is surely not sustainable but I don't see much evidence of players leaving.

Peter: Derek McInnes and his coaching staff have their work cut out trying to find how to use the existing players who have patiently awaited their chance to get in the starting line-up and now integrate the new faces that have arrived. Perhaps a good problem to have though and if we can get off to a good start in matches, we will be able to give all a decent number of minutes over the coming weeks.

Alasdair: What a baller, I've watched him a few times in North Macedonia and he's very skilful, he's ready to take on his man and fire a shot away. To be fair to him they usually go in.

Image source, SNS

• Hearts (18) and Dundee United (14) are the top two scoring sides from non-penalty set-pieces in the Scottish Premiership this season. Six of Hearts' past 10 league goals have come from set-pieces (four corners, two free-kicks), while the Tangerines have six of their past eight from set-plays (four corners, two throw-ins).

• Only Dundee United (10) have recovered more points from losing positions in the Premiership this season than Hearts (nine), who twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Celtic last time out.

• Dundee United have lost their past two league games without scoring, last losing three in a row without reply in the Premiership in December 2021 (run of four).

• Hearts have won their past two away games at Dundee United in the top flight, last winning more in a row in the Premiership in October 2000 (run of four).

• The side playing away from home has won four of the past five Premiership games between Dundee United and Hearts, although the most recent was a 1-1 draw in November.

Image source, Getty

Hearts have secured the early arrival of Uganda forward Rogers Mato after he agreed a pre-contract with the Tynecastle club.

The striker was due to arrive in Edinburgh on a three-year deal in the summer, following the conclusion of his contract with North Macedonian side FK Vardar, but will now join on loan until the end of the current campaign before contract begins in July.

Described by Hearts as "one of Europe's hottest properties", Mata, 22, has fuelled Vardar's quest for a first title in six years by scoring 12 times in 13 appearances.

He has 15 in 17 across all competitions for his club this season - and 21 in 33 since joining a year ago - while his three starts at the Africa Cup of Nations took his cap haul to 41.

Mato could well be the next success story to roll off the Jamestown Analytics production line.

Hearts fans, how do you feel about Mato's early arrival? How excited are you to have him in the building now? Will he be able to fill Lawrence Shankland's shoes?

Let us know your thoughts.

BBC Scotland's Edinburgh football reporter Brian McLauchlin has been answering some of your questions on Hearts.

Hannah asked: Hi Brian, I was wondering if you think this is a sustainable improvement from Hearts and whether we can look towards a three-team title race in years to come?

Brian answered: Thanks for your question Hannah and it's one I'm sure that all Hearts fans would like an answer to. The way the club has been run for over ten years, since Ann Budge took control, was to ensure it was sustainable. Thanks to the generosity of James Anderson, The Hearts Foundation, and now Tony Bloom, the club have not just relied on ticket sales or prize money over this period of time.

I should also say the player trading model in the future will be a key part of the club being able to maintain the current financial model.

So the answer is yes if the player trading model works and the current level of funding from supporters and benefactors continue.

Jim asked: With the addition of the Jamestown Analytics, progress on unearthing football talent and Hearts' success so far this season, what plans do Hearts need to put in place now to allow for increased attendances? If it is Hearts' intention to regularly compete at the highest level, Tynecastle's capacity at a fraction over 20,000 is surely not enough to satisfy demands from fans, particularly those on the waiting list for season tickets?

Brian answered: There is no doubt there is a huge interest in Hearts and what is going on at the moment. However football is a strange game and you can rarely predict what will happen in a season never mind than the next five or ten.

Expanding Tynecastle would be hugely problematic and expensive and I'm sure the Hearts fans at the moment would much prefer any investment goes into the squad rather than increasing capacity.

Noel asked: Is there any truth in the rumour that Leicester are interested in recruiting Derek McInnes?

Brian answered: Whenever a club in Scotland brings in a manager who is an instant success, as Derek McInnes has been, then there is sure to be interest from other clubs so the Leicester City interest is understandable.

However, on this occasion I feel Hearts fans can rest easy and can look forward to McInnes being in the home dugout for the rest of the season. Leicester have had four different managers in the last two and a half years so it's hardly the most stable job in the country and with things going so well at Hearts it's unlikely his head would be turned should the Midlands club come calling.

Vardar winger Rogers Mato has arrived in Edinburgh and should complete his transfer to Heart of Midlothian in the next few days, and the Scottish Premiership leaders are also working on signing a new striker. (Edinburgh Evening News)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Livingston boss David Martindale is backing Hearts to win this season's Premiership title and end Celtic and Rangers' 40-year grip on the trophy.

The Tynecastle club, led by Derek McInnes, are four points above Rangers and six ahead of Celtic at the top with 15 games remaining.

And Martindale suggested McInnes can take his Hearts team, buoyed by investment from Brighton owner Tony Bloom, all the way to the trophy.

"Hearts, I think they're the team," the Livingston boss said.

"I think Hearts have showed over the course of the season real consistency. I look at their squad. I look at Del [McInnes] and I want it to be Hearts. I want it for Scottish football, I want it for them.

"We all moan about Rangers and Celtic winning the league every year – is this [Hearts being top] not brilliant?

"Everybody's saying 'Oh, the Old Firm aren't playing well', but Hearts have been doing magnificent.

"I know a lot of the Hearts players, I know a lot of the Hearts staff. I think it's a fantastic football club that have now got a real good structure upstairs and downstairs. I think they've got a real, real chance.

"Take my Livingston hat off and the fact I grew up a Rangers fan. I love Scottish football, and for Scottish football, I think it would be brilliant if Hearts can go and win this league.

"I thought it was magnificent when Leicester did it in the English Premiership, and I think Hearts have got more than enough to do that. I think they've shown that against the Old Firm."

Image source, SNS

Derek McInnes would like "one more" new arrival before the transfer window shuts on Monday night but admits Hearts are "up against it" with clubs raising prices.

The Premiership leaders have already landed permanent deals for right-back Jordi Altena, winger Islam Chesnokov and a loan for midfielder Marc Leonard.

They've also fast-tracked a deal for striker Rogers Mato, who was due to join on a free transfer in the summer, to get him to Edinburgh this month.

But head coach McInnes admits the £10m investment last summer from Brighton owner Tony Bloom, whose Jamestown Analytics company is used for Hearts recruitment, is presenting some problems.

"We'd still like to do one more," the Hearts boss told Sky Sports, external about potential new arrivals.

"The difficulty we're finding, because of our position in the league and because clubs are now aware of Tony Bloom, everybody thinks we're awash with money, which we aren't.

"Sometimes players we've maybe identified can soon become outwith our reach because clubs start to raise the fee and raise wages so we're up against it a bit.

"We'd like to bring in one more if we can but if we don't, if the window shuts with what we've got in the building, I'm confident we can make a right fist of it."

Hearts are four points clear of Rangers and six clear of Celtic and have only lost two league matches all season.

McInnes has reportedly attracted interest from Leicester City after they sacked boss Marti Cifuentes this week.

But the former Kilmarnock manager stressed his commitment to Hearts.

"I don't know where that's come from," he added.

"These things you just take with a pinch of salt really. I think it's clear my focus is here and I'm in the job that I want.

"I think there's work to be done here and I just want to make sure we finish the season as strongly as we can."

What would you like to ask our Edinburgh football reporter Brian McLauchlin about Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts?

He is in the hotseat, ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Put your questions to Brian here.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

Can you smell that? That's the scent of title-winning belief in Gorgie, following plucky Celtic's efforts to stifle the champions-elect at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Of course, I say a lot of things tongue-in-cheek when it comes to the Jambos, but believe me when I say that if the current league holders sit 11 men behind the ball and look to counter, as well as run down the clock from the first whistle, Hearts are going to last the course of this campaign at the summit.

Never in my lifetime supporting Hearts and watching Scottish football would I believe that Celtic would be so poor at Tynecastle.

If I'm being honest, it's two points dropped against and a result I hope we don't regret later in the season, but Derek McInnes and the team do deserve enormous credit for their display.

Alexandros Kyziridis should have bagged himself a double, and Blair Spittal hit the bar in a game that Hearts dominated in the second half, apart from one Celtic counter for their second goal.

There were a lot of talking points from a Hearts perspective alone; from Craig Gordon surprisingly starting in goal to Marc Leonard's debut.

Of course, I'll have to talk about the red card since Celtic supporters are taking a brief break in berating their board to turn their ire on the Scottish FA following their "harsh" red card.

I'm sorry, but that's a red card in today's refereeing guidelines. Not just in Scotland but around Europe, certainly.

Auston Trusty had no intention of winning the ball and cynically stopped Pierre Landry Kabore in his tracks before he could run on to the ball and get a clear shot at goal.

You're not telling me that Liam Scales and Dane Murray double up as 100m sprinters and would have got ahead of a quick Kabore?

Some pundits are pouring scorn on our chances and are talking about Danny Rohl's rejuvenated Rangers, and I think that plays into our hands.

We've got an important week - not just because it's a tricky weekend trip to a Tannadice pitch that players would be better suited to wearing flippers on - but we've got to bring in a couple of bodies in the transfer window.

The arrival of Ugandan Rogers Mato will hopefully ease the burden on Kyziridis on that left-hand side, but we really need a target man to come in and be a proper number nine.

I'd love Jamestown Analytics to bring in a 6ft 2in striker, maybe a head-band sporting South American who is well versed in the dark arts and has 19 goals in 21 games in the Argentine third division.

We need a focal point to allow the likes of Claudio Braga, Kyziridis and others to play off and occupy defenders to free up space for others to run into.

If we were to get Mato and a big, physical striker in the door, I'll be a lot less jokey and a lot more confident when I'm asked if Hearts can win the title this season.

Image source, SNS

Stuart Findlay believes it's important Hearts defenders contribute with goals during captain and top scorer Lawrence Shankland's absence.

The Scotland forward, 30, was last week ruled out for up to eight weeks with a hamstring problem.

Findlay, 30, scored Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts' first equaliser in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Celtic at Tynecastle.

Between Findlay and fellow centre-back Craig Halkett, the pair have contributed 12 goals so far this season.

"We've lost such a goal threat in Shanks for the next week while," Findlay told BBC Scotland. "We know that. We understand how much goals he brings to the team.

"But we know how much of a threat we've been at set-pieces. It's important we keep scoring. We've been a threat from these situations, which I thought we were again [against Celtic]."

Hearts lead Rangers by four points and Celtic by six. Victory away to Dundee United, where Findlay scored twice earlier this season, will open those gaps wider before Rangers visit Hibernian and Celtic host Falkirk on Sunday.

"We have to go into the game determined to get the three points, like we do every game," Findlay said.

"If you keep winning games, then you just sort of see what happens."

Hearts manager Derek McInnes is being considered by Leicester City following Marti Cifuentes' sacking. (Mail), external

Manager Jim Goodwin says Dundee United's ground staff will be working round the clock to try and ensure Saturday evening's Scottish Premiership meeting with Hearts at Tannadice goes ahead, with more rain expected this week after last Saturday's match with St Mirren at the ground was postponed. (Sun), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes says Islam Chesnokov is being put through a "mini pre-season" to get him up to speed.

The Kazakhstan winger arrived in Edinburgh earlier this month having not played a competitive match since representing his country in mid-November.

The 26-year-old has featured three times as a substitute but was not included in the squad for Sunday's 2-2 draw against Celtic.

"Islam is someone we've waited a long time for," McInnes said.

"We probably underestimated him being able to pick up the speed of the game and the fitness of where he was at after maybe six or seven weeks without training.

"We've made a concerted effort with him and he decision was made that we would put him through a little mini pre-season for the next two weeks.

"He's been doing extra training just to try and get him able to cope with the speed of the game because obviously it's different from Kazakhstan.

"When everybody's starting from the same moment, then it's easier to find your fitness. But he's coming into a team who are more than halfway through the season.

"With the intensity of the Scottish game, we've got to be understanding that maybe (he needs) more training, more awareness of what's required.

"But we feel that he could get the benefit of these last two weeks. We're working him hard and he's eager to play his part. We're delighted that we've got him because we see his quality in training and we just want him to be as fit as he can be to demonstrate that."