DMAA

Exciting to see Lowry getting a start. Nowhere near our strongest team around him though so I hope people go easy on him.

I didn't think it would come to that. The only real incentive for Hearts to sell now is if they can re-invest in a new signing in this window. Otherwise they are as well keeping him to try and secure 3rd place the conference league money.

I didn't find Gio's response regarding a signing very encouraging at all! Very much maybe aye, we'll see, only if the right player comes along, our group is already talented by the way. He should be saying we will be working hard to get someone in, if not then you have to wonder about money. Edit: he did apparently say we are definitely looking to bring someone in. I just saw the tweet where he seemed non-committal.

Not that I've got much to go on, but I really think he has the technical ability to play for us and do well in the number 10 position, playing between the lines. Look at Carvalho at Fulham. I'd be looking to get him on the pitch at least every time the game is safe to see how he does.

Exactly. I don’t understand the attitude people have to signing him in this window, it would be well worth it at the right price and I still hope a compromise can be reached.

That's not true. Missed a chunk of the last season's J league when he joined them because they have a calendar year league. This is the first major injury of his career as far as I can see.

He was scapegoated for a long time because of that. He was a clearly a good centre back.

I always said he was a good player! Their manager is on record as having said they have the best two centre backs in the league though, so it won’t be an area they are looking to strengthen.

I think people underestimate the pull of location. West Brom is right in the area where he was raised. He will have loads of friends and family there and maybe he, or his wife, would just like to move back. They could match our wages I would think and have a good chance of promotion which would result in a pay rise far higher than what we can offer too, and playing at the top level of the game against the best players. There’s still a chance he’s planning to stay and he’s just keeping his options open and strengthening his negotiating position, but I wouldn’t be as baffled as some if he does join WBA. Footballers are human beings with families and the decision making process isn’t as straightforward as we think. The NF link is nonsense, they are already set up at centre back.

Caps off a pretty good weekend. They are already seething after McGregor has fractured his cheekbone an against a team manager by Barry Ferguson and Bob Malcolm (who was once released by Ange Postecoglou) as assistant manager, and will likely be out for 2 months. Kyogo will likely be out for about 2 months too. Should have just played that game on the 2nd of January after all.

I still believe Souttar would improve us and is worth a decent fee. Whether Hearts are willing to accept one is the question. I’d have thought they’d be keen to cash in and reinvest while there’s still a chance but conference league qualification complicates things.

Patterson needs a run in the team after that tbh

Should have let Lowry take it for flip sake

Lowry showing up the senior attacking players here.

Yes! Lowry!

Sands not playing here is possibly a sign the manager rates him and intends to keep starting him.

Barkerinho being prepared for the old firm game no doubt @Rousseau?

I expect he’ll sign for between £250k and £500k. Helander has ongoing injury problems and Souttar is arguably a better player than Balogun (who has his own injury issues). There’s a decent chance Simpson will leave too.

He certainly has the potential to. Morelos has often struggled against Celtic.

A tough first game. I thought there were promising signs with his forward passing, need to see more of course.

Goldson for me, did really well. I thought Morelos had a very good first half but tired in the second and didn’t do much to get us up the park.

@Rousseau impressed by Sands?

In a tight title race, missing key men to South American, African and Asian international football could make the difference in where the title goes. With Celtic now affected by this too with Furuhashi, Rogic, Hatate and Maeda, I’d be taking this into account in our recruitment.

Marginally I think yeh.