Vrancken into Pre Season

The lads are back to discuss another busy week.

The New manager is here. The lads are talking what the future holds, the it's and outs and the Premiership fixture announcements 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:54

Good everyone and welcome to another podcast of Old Castle Rock, the podcast for anything Hartle Belovia NFC related. My name is Gavin Kennedy. As usual, I am going to be joined by the gaffer, Mr. Andy Dixon. How are you, mate?

SPEAKER_02 1:17

Hi. Not bad, mate. Not bad. Scotland have embarrassed themselves on the world stage again, so but that's all about football, isn't it? Proper football. Really, isn't it? So I I'm alright, mate. I'm alright.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

It's just we weren't supporting the way anyway, mate. So it's not good, eh?

SPEAKER_02 1:38

It's just so warm as well. But aye. Well good, how are you? What's been happening anyway? You're all good?

SPEAKER_00 1:48

It's coming to that time of the year again when it's a bit nicer weather, um pub gardens are open and stuff like that. There's barbecues undergo. There's a lot being announced in terms of Heart of Medlovien, so we have got a lot to talk about. Um and first of all, let's get cracking. So let's talk about first of all the fixtures. So obviously, on Wednesday, the 18th, I think it was about dates, right? Uh it was announced that the Heart's fixtures were out, and as usual, we all go piling to our computer screens, look at the first Derby fixture, a glorious midweek away trip to Easter Road. But we do have the Boxing Day special uh at Team Castle to look forward to after that. So, what was your thoughts on the fixtures, Dickel?

SPEAKER_02 2:43

Well, what I want to show some of the other fixtures first, Mr. Kennedy, before we go any further. So you're right. I mean, the fixtures obviously come out. We are going to open the season away to Aberdeen. Um, and then our first home game is Dundee United. Um, which is just basically the same opening two as we had last season in reverse order. Yeah, basically.

SPEAKER_03 3:08

Uh so aye.

SPEAKER_02 3:10

Uh Magic. I'm sure Falkirk was probably quite was quite far up there as well. Well, if if I remember correctly. So yeah, they've just given us the sec exactly the same two fixtures that we opened last season with as well in reverse order. Ah, it is it's not too bad. Aberdeen, Dundee Night, Falkirk, St. Johnston's your first four fixtures. And then obviously before you go to you go Easterwood at the beginning of September, which, yeah, pretty that's pretty not too bad a run, to be honest. Obviously, there is a bit of a break now that the the way they've changed the international fit, the way the internationals work. So it's not as bad. Um in October, your October run is obviously St. Miren at home awaiting Motherwell, Celtic, Motherwell, and then Hometry Rangers. So that's the teams that finished first set first, third, and fourth last season, um, all within uh an 11-day period. And then obviously, we start to reverse the fixtures again because you then go back, then you go up to Dundee United. So that's your first quarter. It's uh it is what it is. It is, and then obviously you run through November into December, sell ticket home at the end of November, and then it's Aberdeen St. Motherwell, Rangers, Pubs, and St John's finishes. Six December fixtures, so seven seven games in a month uh over Christmas. It's I mean it's it is what it is, I suppose, isn't it? It's it's not too bad. We were going to do something on this last week, um obviously, but I think time just got the did get the better of us, uh unfortunately. But yeah, I'm pretty happy with that, really. And then we finished the split with St Johnston then Habs is the the last game before the splat in April. What's your thoughts then?

SPEAKER_00 5:11

Uh uh I have a dean one. Uh it's a tricky start because our record at Vitodre is always never the best. So I guess it's one of those you just get it away, don't you? Um is what it is. Uh it's a half-five kickoff, so if anything, uh we'll be pretty well tacked up for it, at least. Uh at least some of us will be back. Um so it'll be a half-decent atmosphere, I would imagine. Um, we get to see some of our new players and see what kind of like I don't know, positions are going to be put in after McKinnon's departed, obviously. Um also liking the fact that we put Celtic on a muddy night to get it right up of and annoy our entire support. So I'm delighted with that. Um, so I and then obviously the first home game. I mean it's it really just does it. It's a Luddy Knight at home, but it's always one that we do relatively well in. Sometimes not always going a lot of goals, but we do have an alright rifle at home against a me, um, especially over the last few years. Um so yeah, um pretty much it, mate, to be honest with you. We'll obviously get Sir Johnson going back to Tyncastle. Um, and we'll have Big Quake, which we'll talk about later. Getting uh hopefully a game against his own club, and that'll be an interesting scenario. Um, and obviously the favourite with Derby uh to look forward to for me, even though it's midweek, which is pretty fish, but uh um we'll still enjoy it the same way, I'm sure, as usual. Um so I and obviously we're gonna have uh European fixtures in between which were yet to get confirmed yet. So uh it's gonna be it's gonna be all further games to see today. So here he has Mr.

SPEAKER_02 7:08

Swimman. Um we've started, we're just talking about the fixtures at the moment with not any of the other pressing matters, big guy. But um how what are you thinking about the the fixtures uh that were released last week?

SPEAKER_01 7:23

Evening chaps. Hi fairly um fairly decent actually in terms of um the kind opening little period games like gives us a chance to get some some some some points on on the board after the the initial start. Obviously, we all know our record that is uh not the idea that'd be a good way for the new guy uh start his time to be getting three points up there, but uh yeah, keeping the the Rangers and Shelter games back until towards the end as well maybe sensible given what's happened. Aye, aye, aye, looking forward to it, looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_00 8:13

So yeah, not too bad. I mean, it is what it is, like we keep saying. Um there's a couple of standout games, obviously, and I was obviously looking at as Andy was saying, that's uh October was quite uh looking like a challenging month of three of the top four teams from last season that's gonna be and with Europe in between that. Um if we make it to the group stages, obviously, when sorry, if we make it to the group stages of the Champions League, say good fella. Um but uh Christmas as always we've got the congestions of Christmas fixtures, which is always fun. But we got a delightful derby at Tycastle unboxing day. We know what happened the last time that happy gave. Uh so uh some interesting ones uh have a wee uh exciting for a couple, especially from it. So um pretty much it for fixtures, uh to be honest. Uh so let's move on if you want for that. Um so we've got a lot to talk about. Uh I know uh Andrew, you put on that you want to talk about the transfer of players first, but I feel like we should be able to get the manager out the road. Yep. Absolutely. So uh we welcome a new gaffer, a new head coach, uh, who has uh been confirmed today. Mr. Roger Raging, Mr. Fleming, you can take it away.

SPEAKER_01 9:56

So what what are you sorry, what are you asking me to take away, Gav? So what he's basically asking you to tell everybody about the new manager because Kennedy kind of pronounced his name properly, so he wants you to Yeah, no, I think um obviously he's just the the the the the door lads and you know he just he was he's on he's unveiled earlier on today, first press conference, interview, sort of dealings with the the media and everything, uh comes across, you know, quite quite um sort of forthright, quite sort of bullish with what he's talking about, what his kind of philosophy is, everything like that. And you know, it's it's it's it's it's hard to read too much into it, but as C V, you know, looks pretty much impressive. It genuinely does. And you know, I'm obviously looking at it quite positive because tennis is gone, we've got our new guy in, we obviously want him to do well, but as C V and his potential really stand up, there you get the the the Belgian manager of the year, not once but but twice. Uh his his record with the teams that he's been at, taking uh sort of relatively you know smaller sides, if you like, and doing quite well, having them challenge him. He's he's won a domestic cup. Uh you'll probably correct me if I'm wrong, Andy, but uh I believe one of the teams he was at, he um he nearly took them to the the the the league actually on the the the last day and they were um they were they were they were they were they were undone with uh like on the last day of the season. Sound sounds familiar? Unfortunately. Very familiar. But uh no, listen, he does sound very, very good. I'll be honest, I'm you know, I'm still kind of getting my head round the press conference today and everything like that, but I'm very, very impressed with with the C V. Very, very impressed. I think it might even, I mean, we were talking about it last week. I think it might even be a bit more um a bit more of a polished CV than we maybe thought. And he seems to have the he seems to have, you know, the this this style of football, I think it could be a right laugh. You know, we've got a guy that's one of these we'll win 4-3, I'd rather win 4-3 than win 1-0. So it could be it could be even more fun in games that you've got to give me next year.

SPEAKER_02 12:32

Well, this is this is that so I listened to I've not listened to the press conference or anything like that today. I didn't get a chance to catch up with that, but I did listen to Joel Skid talk about him the other day, and he it does seem as a lot of organised chaos, um, is how he likes to play. He does like to obviously play that that play that way a wee bit, obviously, totally different to how we've obviously been playing previously. Um I quite like I quite like the sound of him as well. I think that again, you're just you've got to go by his CV. I mean, he his team finished third last season. Um and the team that he was at was St. Truden. So I can imagine that nobody on this podcast has heard the name uh prior to about three days ago. Um and I mean he finished eventually because the way that they the split works is that they finished uh they finished they lost, there were 14 points bound in the end, but they were they were they were third, and I mean they were in tot in front of Antlec, they were in front of Genk, um it was only USG and Clubrugger that were actually um in front of them. So I mean he's taken them into the the Europa League, a team into the Europa League playoff uh round already. I mean when you're you're looking at the the size of the aim compared to some of the other ones, it's uh it is a very, very small team. It's probably maybe maybe a comparison to a mother well, and well, how and how obviously they done last season with with their manager.

SPEAKER_01 14:08

Was it uh um what what what what team was they at Andy when he he nearly won the league? Was it was it Genk, or is it is it some is it somebody else? Um I'll tell you in two seconds.

SPEAKER_02 14:19

I will it was Genk.

SPEAKER_00 14:21

Was it not St. Truden or was that you did all right? That's that's the one he just came from.

SPEAKER_02 14:27

Uh so he just came through St. Truden and uh it was Genk where he nearly won the league.

SPEAKER_01 14:35

And Genker, Genk Genk, Genker's still like Genker obviously are like my um amazing knowledge of Belgian football, but Genker like um the my understanding is they're like a lot they're a bit bigger, aren't they, than uh St. Truden. But Genk are still not they're not always expected to kind of be ahead of like your uh your Andelects and your your bruges and it yeah.

SPEAKER_02 14:59

Yeah, that's that so they are probably they're just down from from the from yeah, again, you're right, you're right, your Ant-Elecksia Club Bruger and stuff like that, and Royal Antwerp is the other one that you'd probably maybe see, but again, it was at Royal Antwerp that he lost the league, and that was uh 23-24. Um, and obviously he was they actually finished the regular season top of the table, um, and then they go into the playoffs and they lost it with a point.

SPEAKER_01 15:27

And then because that's how um to just on a slight tangent, that's how uh USG were quite unlucky with that for a couple of years, weren't they? Because of how the the Belgian league splits into the playoffs, eh? Um they lost it a couple of times like that until they eventually won it. Sorry, mate, no, I was just I was just trying to get a I was just trying to get a comparison about the size of the the kind of the clubs that he's actually had that relative success with. That's that's really interesting. You can you can see why that's appealed to heart, see?

SPEAKER_02 16:01

Yeah, I think so. I think when you see what he does with a with a smaller budget, I mean it's quite interesting. Obviously I was just having a I was looking at the comparing comparing the clubs. I mean look in between because he was at Ghent as well, in between, so he was at Genk and had a season at Ghent and then he went to uh St. Truden uh before he came to Hearts. And obviously St. Truden are probably the def or they're definitely the smallest of the smallest of the three. I mean, Genk um were Genk probably were the maybe the biggest of the three, and again, it's all roughly I'd say obviously two roughly similar size clubs in these ticks. Maybe we step down club size as well, but um it's again it's the budgets compared to some of the I mean Club Brug are in the Champions League every year. But we where where do we where are we seeing that who who's else is up against that? A team that's constantly in the Champions League with a budget that and comparing it to even our own budget, and I mean our budget should improve. Um but again the the the vast budget so the teams that we're up against is certainly something that we'll be looking to get that we've probably now got a manager who is gonna be a bit better at working within these these parameters of what he can get in. Um and flipping again, flip we're gonna be flipping a lot of players over let's no lie about it, but getting these players in using them to their to maybe their their true potential.

SPEAKER_01 17:39

I read uh I I read I read as well, Andy. Obviously, being um obviously managing in the Belgian league, you'll obviously have a bit of experience and understanding of USG, you know, USG's player trading model and you know the the bloom connection as well. But um I just think that that's quite interesting. I wonder if that kind of played into Heart's thinking somewhere as well, you know, along the lines.

SPEAKER_02 18:09

As far as I'm sure there's now Joel's, I'm sure Joel Skid said this the other day the other day on um Heart Standard is that he said that he was friendly with the sporting director of USG.

SPEAKER_01 18:26

That's I was sort of something like that, like yeah, and he was he maybe and and and no doubt, no, no doubt maybe Jamestown and Heart. So I just put it this way, Andy. Uh it can't hurt, can it, that he's maybe got that that connection and awareness of Jamestown, Bloom, everything like that. And it's just again, it's maybe an evolution of what we were talking about, moving from McKinnon's who we maybe now know was not 100% into the Jamestown. Not that he didn't like it, but just not completely bought in. So again, this new guy, that's another that's another tick in the box, though, just that that background awareness of everything, you know.

SPEAKER_02 19:09

Call me cynical, but I mean half um call me cynical, but uh had we let um sign his owners, we might have been seeing Ross McCrory turning up at Tynecastle. Um so that probably tells you where what the sign-ins is where where McInnes gets his players from compared to some of the boys that obviously that we're looking at. So yeah, I think that we're definitely looking at two separate um we're looking at two separate I know I know I I know I know we'll come on to it.

SPEAKER_01 19:48

I know we'll come on to it as well, but like the because it because so much is happening so quickly just now, right? Like one of the one of the the new sign-ins I was reading was close to 800 grand. And I was like, what? We're we're out we're now so we're now we now seem to be in the upper underscore aye, yeah. But you know, we're we're not we're in we're in the upper kind of echelons now though, like our are are just below like a million seems to kind of be like our average kind of price mark now, you know, three quarters of a million for Altena, 800 grand. Obviously, we spent the money on age use, so you you're you're all so I I know come on to it, but uh you just you're already starting to see the wee the the wee bits of this player trading model work with uh the investment, but sorry mate, sorry, I don't mean I'm sorry, you're right.

SPEAKER_02 20:37

I mean this is it as well. Um I'm actually just looking, I was looking at the TV, was it before as well? Uh Mechelen, so this was before he went to Gank and he he they he they were regular European like regular European contenders. The Belgian the Belgian system is just up and done the whole time because you it's like prior this it's now a playoff for the league, but before that it was two playoffs for the league and then for the European spots, the top four, and then the next four went and played in European playoffs and stuff, but it would all from what I'm from what I'm seeing there is that Metcler were always there or thereabout for these these playoff spots. So they were finishing fifth, sixth, seventh um in the league. And so I think you can I think what we can clearly see is we can clearly see that he's got us he's at a s he's he's at a certain level, he's never managed really the massive clubs in Belgium, Belgium, but from what he's worked with um at and uh at the levels that he's at and the the budgets that he's at, I think we can see that he is he's probably he's gonna be he's he's he's that again, he's got a a good a very good track record, and you're Right, he probably has got some not inside knowledge of uh Jamestown analytics, but he'll be familiar with it um because they keep obviously that close everything close to their chest. But I would uh I'm quite excited. I didn't think I would be quite excited for that for the manager coming in. I don't know if I'm just getting caught up and everything, but I I'm feeling genuinely feeling quite excited with him coming in, uh some of the players coming in, and just everything going on. So yeah, um and again, what was this what was he said in the press conference then? What was what was he saying there?

SPEAKER_01 22:40

So he was it was a bit obviously mate, it was like um I I I I read it, I read the summary in the in in the standard. So I it was a bit, you know, generic.

SPEAKER_00 22:52

I actually uh sorry to interrupt, but I actually actually listened to the press conference.

SPEAKER_01 22:57

Oh, you go, mate, on you go. Hi, on you go on you go.

SPEAKER_00 23:00

So to be honest, mate, it it was a lot of like uh just questions about why you come to hearts, uh uh what type of flute we're gonna play, and uh what made you come here, stuff like that. So it was his very like savvy questions as a new manager would really get. But the one thing I did notice is that his English was very good. Um, which you know, for foreign bat for foreign managers, sometimes when they come in, we might have an interpreter with him sort of thing to begin with, or we get used to the language, or like um we you know what I mean, we um like we may have difficulties with a language barrier or something like that. It didn't appear that uh he had that sort of rational language. Very good. That's a very good thing for me. Um it will help transition with instructions to the players, you know, especially ones that are abroad as well. Um, I think it might help some of the foreign ones like settle a wee bit more too, because they'll be going through the same things that the manager is, of course, if you get me. Um another thing I noticed as well that he was talking very highly of uh the scene, like uh obviously um McKinnon when he came in. Uh he's watched a few games, uh he was uh basically talking about he knows what happened at the end, and obviously talked about his experience, how hard it is to get over it. But the one thing I impressed the most was like the fact that him and Ms. uh Graham Jones uh they seemed to like get on really well in the interview and stuff like that, and uh it sort of like made him feel uh that this was the right move for him. He did have opportunities before, but he was under contract and stuff like that. So Hartz came at the right time and it sort of like lined into place. I mean, I I was always expecting us to get a manager that I had no clue about whatsoever. But even me not knowing much about him, but from what I've read so far, like you guys have probably had it, I've tried difficult as well, to be honest with you.

SPEAKER_01 25:04

So that's that's a really good summary actually got because I was I was gonna say, mate, I'd only just kind of had a uh uh a scan over the summary and the standard, I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. So that that's actually uh really interesting, and and and I think I think what's um I think what's was what's quite impressive here is the the more I think about his CV and his credentials, the more I'm kinda buying into it now. Yes, I'm I'm not just trying to put a oh it's a hundred percent positive, right? Because we've made an appointment okay, because we're still losing a lot of experience from last season, and it kind of still has that gravitas and that experience in the Scottish game that this this guy will need to build up towards, right? But you you look beneath that, and the he he obviously has a uh a way of working maybe with a slightly smaller, but a provincial you know, we're hard to see us going about challenging rangers and self-dick. So they see what he's done in Belgium, they think he can replicate that in Scotland, the the the you know, the success that he's had there. So he can clearly maybe get teams maybe and uh playing above their station, perhaps. And I I read or something I did read that was interesting in the standard summary. They had um they had this Belgian football correspondent that was on just giving his take on it, right? And again, you know, you maybe need to take it like with a little pinch of salt, you know, he might be his best mate or whatever. But he was saying this was quite a coup for a team like that. He was saying that generally this manager has potential, and there could have been opportunities to maybe go to like uh another country. I believe the English English Championship was spoken about uh at one point, and and this guy has a very, very good record. He did he did warn that we might lose games and we might lose goals and I'll have a three and a year out at twice. So that might you you could you could go one week basically and maybe win four nil at paradigm, right? And then you can maybe get beat 3-0 at home by Tom Marnett, he could be that kind of manager, but I think in time, yeah, I think in time you might take that over a mechanic maybe winning the local game one nil, one nil, as daft as that might sound in terms of entertaining football. So yeah, no, I'm um like Andy said, um I I think the club's done really well here, and to do it as quickly as they have, and to actually do it, to to do it in time for pre-season. I actually they get a lot of criticism, you know, when it's due. But I think I think the club deserves a lot of good credit for actually having them in today when they came back to the Oriam as well. Deserve a lot of credit for that.

SPEAKER_02 27:56

That was the other thing, is that that was kinda a little bit worrying me, obviously after it was Chris. It was only last week, by the way. So it was only last week, and that was the one thing that worried me was pre-season, pre-season was coming. And where were we when what were we doing when preseason was coming? How organized were we when preseason was coming?

SPEAKER_01 28:21

And worried me, I I think you were thinking that uh Korobotska and Mad Eddie Malawi were coming back with some Cullibucky races for pre-season, the way you were going on last week, mate. I know I was thinking you worried, you were worried.

SPEAKER_02 28:35

But I because that's the problem, is a bad preseason sets you up for a bad start to the season, and that was that was something I've always that's something that's worrying that's been worrying me. And I still a little bit worried in regards to key street fixtures and things like that, but um again, uh you've got a new manager, he'll come in, he'll hopefully I'd imagine he'll have his own men coming in as well. Um, that'll probably be the shortest stint that Gordon Marshall's ever had at a club as he gets empt probably gets emptied out so that uh he can bring his own men in. And uh as long as he's got this time now, he's got basically four weeks to try and implement what he wants. Um, and I think maybe because we've got there's been quite a high, not quite high or high turnover, but there has been a fair turnover of players already. Um so there's a good group that's coming in now that have no preconception of what it is to play at hearts um or what or anything like that, so it'll be easy or even Scottish football, and it'll maybe they'll maybe take his instructions better than if he was trying to explain it to Cammy Devlin and Benny Berengemy in the midfield and what he wanted them to do. Um so it's uh that's a that's a good point, Andy.

SPEAKER_01 29:52

That that's a very good point, and and I know what you're you're you're meaning there, mate. Like, not that they're not good players, but maybe having the I think we said like the black canvas to kind of work from, eh, and just go, oh, this player, this player, and and I think we'll still bring in maybe another even five, six, seven new sign-ins, mate. So yeah, and it just allows him to be this is how I want to play, and he's maybe not got he's not got guys that have already got like a an embedded style, like uh exactly. So that that that that that to me makes it even more more exciting, to be honest.

SPEAKER_02 30:28

But then but then I think to myself that does uh does uh Thomas Magnuson does he can he fit the way that this the way that um that wants to play? Does he fit that better than the way that McInnes wanted them to play? Does does Aju when he comes back into the team for his 20 minutes at St Johnston away or something, does he does he maybe fit back does he fit more into the way that he wants this the team to be set up? Does somebody that's maybe went that's been out on loan, like uh a Sandra Khartoum, for example.

SPEAKER_01 31:06

What imagine imagine one of his first moves is to have a look at a Khartoum and a Yandander and end up starting the first game of the season at Picardre will be like, get this boy out, get him out, get him out.

SPEAKER_02 31:18

But but this is the thing is that Cartoon's obviously been picked up, he's been used. Jamestown used it. There was a brief or a light version of Jamestown that that helped to pick out Sander Khartoum. So does this the attributes that he have maybe fit better into the way that the new manager wants to play?

SPEAKER_01 31:36

So I mean that's a that's that's a good point, mate. It is because I I know it's it's it's a bit of a it's a it's a it's almost a wild conversation, right? But Khartoum was a technically good player. Well, we've seen that in the that double against Dundee a couple of yeah uh uh uh in Twitch places in. So I know what you mean. Like uh it could just be like he's my kind of guy, and he might actually maybe not want the the physical guy. So like a market might be someone he actually doesn't like, but for example, I know totally, totally.

SPEAKER_02 32:12

Yeah, and the thing is is again, and um it's a new manager, effectively it's an open door, it's a clean slate for nearly nearly anybody. Um, although I think we could have at the start of this time last year, we could have basically nailed on that like what players Derek McInnes would fancy and which ones he would fancy. And again, that was it was just about proven right. So um, yeah, I mean, I think it'll be interesting to see what happens now in regards to to players, because he'll have ideas of players as well, and or the not maybe the exact players, although you will get some vetoes, um, I'd imagine, in the same way that McInnes, the McInnes kind of got as well. Um, or at least he can then take his ideas to Graeme Jones, and Graeme Jones will use the magic to try and to find some of the to find players that come in, because again, you're right, there is going to be there's still going to be lots going in and there's lots going out. Um and again, to be fair, what is it, 41 days since the season finished? Um and again there has been lots of lots of change. Um and a lot is Gavin Kennedy going to we'll just move on quickly then to all the put to the the transfers in and out.

SPEAKER_00 33:25

Yes, this is a part of the night I've been absolutely dreading because everyone knows that my pronunciations absolutely suck. Um so try to bear with me while do so. I'm gonna start by players that have obviously left just to maybe give a wee recap of that just quickly. We're not gonna talk loads about it, but obviously we spoke about uh Ratland leaving to Rangers already. Um we've also got Benny's left, uh Frankie's left, Alan Forrest, um Leon Nielsen has left as well. Um so you go forward now, and you got Kenneth Fargus who's moved to Greece. Um his signed his own death warrant with that comment in the paper, sadly. I don't think he ever really recovered from that. Um Australia, um, and obviously a big one for me. Steinweiner left for um German football. Um I really think that one was one that I was like a wee bit gutted about because he did really well for us last season. He was a top drawer squad, if you want to call player A. So I think that's one that he will be sadly missed, unfortunately. Um what do you guys think?

SPEAKER_01 34:40

I mean I'll let Fleming go first. So like just in terms of the like are you asking me about Sky Vender guy?

SPEAKER_00 34:52

Yeah, Sky Vender, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 34:53

Oh yeah, so so I know Sky Vender was uh was was really really good. I I I I liked him. I was um I saw his praised quite a lot last season actually, you know, when he was getting a bit uh criticism from like the Jambo's game. But um no, but that was only he was he wasn't a right back, and I did think he tried his hardest to write back, but to be fair, he he he really came on to a game towards the end of the season, and we were all in agreement that he did have some really good performances at centre. But I um I'm not again though, just with the Jamestown model, I'm not overly concerned about it and going. We know you've actually been saying it for weeks, mate. You know, we just need to get used to it. And actually, if it's a if it's another bit of evidence, right? If he's even got say a couple of hundred grand profit from this, even a hundred grand, okay. I know it's not like massive, but it's still just another little example of the player possibly working, right? You know, it's a guy that's come in, done a job, moved on, but replacing him maybe with better, these these younger guys that have come in. But no, he goes he goes with my best wishes that I did like Steinbender, I did like him. Good lad, good lad.

SPEAKER_02 36:08

I'm I'm not gonna say that like I'm he's I was his biggest fan. Um but as as the season he played more at centre half. I definitely thought he was that was his best position, and that's probably the position that that he should have that we should we probably missed out playing, like missed out a lot of what his what he could do because he didn't play the other. Because we were too busy playing him at at centre half, especially last season. Obviously, it's hard to get in the team against when it's Hal Finley. Um and you've got a settled team compared to the team that he came in against, he came into with Neil Kitchley. But again, I I wouldn't have been I wouldn't have minded had we lined up and our first game of the season, whether it be the friendly, whether it be in Green's Gratz, or whether it's against Aberdeen and he was playing alongside Finley, I thought the two of them would have um I thought they two would have been quite quite good as a as a partnership. They're probably not as physical um and are certainly not as physical as our uh as our previous our previous manager would have wanted, but again, it is what is we we know that this is gonna this is how it is gonna be. I mean, since the moment we s we flipped Danny Lokigoki after six months to Verona for a profit, I mean it's been the case that this was something like this was probably always going to happen. And I mean Steinwinder was used it was a Jamestown or Jamestown light that we used to identify him as well, I think. So yeah, um it's a wee bit of a shame for him that he has had uh that he's away, uh, but again, it probably frees up a wage. As well, he's probably been on a bigger uh and that sounds silly, but again, he's been a bigger wage than the two laddies that we've the two boys who've brought in, the two Sarah has brought in anyway, and it frees up another wage as well, and we can then go and reinvest that as uh going forward. So yeah, it's a shame first time winder. I thought we could have done with him as for the season, but uh we we kind of know exactly what is gonna what this season's gonna be when it comes to some of the players. Kennedy, you did miss Chesnikov. Yes, he's a way back to Kazakhstan.

SPEAKER_00 38:28

Yeah, sorry, that wasn't on uh the list that I had there, so that's why I missed up Mr. Chesnikov. Uh so apologies on that.

SPEAKER_01 38:36

I still say I still say he has for ten shots, still say he has for ten shots.

SPEAKER_02 38:40

But again, it's one of these things, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00 38:43

It's he's been brought into play the wrong system with that's right, he quite possibly could be really flourish under maybe his style of play. We will never know, unfortunately, because he wasn't just given that chance in the head.

SPEAKER_02 38:57

Um I think everything that's happened has probably just burnt every bridge uh possible. Um so it's probably just he's just wanting to go back. Um I'm surprised though we didn't keep Louis uh Nielsen Kennedy or what Neeson or whatever you said, because he's she's not got a particular set of skills.

SPEAKER_00 39:24

Um so yeah, but it's always one of those like potential ones, Eva. Maybe I felt sorry for him.

SPEAKER_02 39:34

Right, I felt so sorry for him because basically we hung him out to dry the season that we went to Fiorentina and he played alongside three left backs in a back four, and he got we got the arsees ripped to us because he had cock in Halley and Kingsley alongside him, and he's 17 year old. And it's like no, and then since then it just never ever worked out, and then we went through basket case to basket case, and it just was that the was that the was that the defence against Fiorentina?

SPEAKER_01 40:04

Wait, you haven't a lot?

SPEAKER_02 40:06

Shh sure it was. I had had a few pints that day. I'm gonna Google that quickly, but I'm sure that there was points in that season he was playing alongside the defence, it was like that. Um I'll Google.

SPEAKER_01 40:18

I remember I'm just gonna. I do remember him. I remember him, I remember him coming in. I think he he definitely played in the home game Andy, but um I I'm assuming what did we get in with that Halke being injured again and that I take it? Because I that just that's a horror story, eh?

SPEAKER_00 40:37

Oh, that game the fans were really good that uh entire day with the songs and everything in the square, and when he got to the game, it was just absolutely bedlay because we just got absolutely hammered, so it was like never celebrated uh I've never celebrated a consolation goal as much as I did that night.

SPEAKER_02 41:00

Um sorry, I'm wrong. He didn't he didn't. He must have been another game because the defence that day, sorry, was Natty Atkinson, Andy Halliday, Stephen Kingsley, Alex Cochrane.

SPEAKER_01 41:17

I know, I just that was that was uh convinced he played. Aye.

SPEAKER_02 41:24

It was a sorry we played the home game where it was Michael Smith, Andy Halli uh Michael Smith, Andy Halliday, Lewis Nielsen, Stephen Kingsley, Alan, Alex Cochran. Was probably the back five. So you've got a back three there, uh Andy Halliday or sorry, Alex Cochran, Lewis Nielsen, and Stephen Kingsley's your back three. So yeah, this is the point I was making is this pair laddie was only fit centre half that we had in the fucking club at the time, and he got basically hung out to dry, and it just never ever recovered for from that, uh, to be honest. So it's a wee bit of a shame, and I think that there'll be a few more, like I'd imagine that Macaulay Tate will probably leave uh quite soon as well. Um another one Finlay Pollack. These boys will probably move on uh in the next few months, but yeah, uh what about the boys coming in, Kennedy?

unknown 42:22

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 42:23

So this is gonna be a fun part. So I'm gonna start off with uh relatively easier ones. So uh Calvin Miller from uh Falkirts came in. Um so uh that to me is really quite exciting, to be honest with you, given a season they had last year. But is he gonna be one of these uh ones that do well at other clubs and then come to hearts? And he's an absolute flop, but we'll wait and see, I suppose. Um Josh McPink as well for St. Johnston, as we talked about earlier, the fixtures. Um be interested to see if he gets a few games against him, what might happen there. Um I think he's more one for development type project player, uh given his age, but I don't know, wait and see with that one as well. Here comes the fun one. So we got Malashi, Fagan, Will Will Walcott. That should be a relatively easy one, but it wasn't at all. Um, from York City, uh centre back. Um we also have Sabre Gwendos from uh Belgium outfit beershat, is it? I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 43:30

Oh, I'm impressed, guys. I'm impressed, mate. Well done, well done.

SPEAKER_00 43:34

Um Abadu Basai, uh centre forward from Elite Leish free FC Rowan. Um I've also got on this list here, um I don't know if it's his nonsense, but uh shirt Finley, but I imagine he'll be good off the dangers.

SPEAKER_02 43:52

This is the thing. I I was gonna wait for you to come in to I was gonna wait because I know he's not been officially signed, 'cause keep going.

SPEAKER_00 44:01

Nope. Um, so we got MJ Campson Kabara from Lincoln City as well. Um James Watson has also came back from Tottenham. We'll be interested to see if he stays or goes.

SPEAKER_02 44:12

No new planning gap, Clay still making.

SPEAKER_00 44:16

Um, so I few obviously were waiting on uh Cavi, Devlin, and Craig Gordon to see what their futures hold afterwards. Ah, Renault, is it is it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. From um sorry, I've got it here, but I've just completely lost uh uh he joined S Chole online, I think it was. I don't know. Yeah, he's a he's uh he looks like uh uh a proper French lad from uh from uh media video that was released earlier this week. So I'm quite excited to see what he does for us. Maybe he's a another Gillian Relly type A, but we'll see. Yeah, what do you guys think?

SPEAKER_02 45:02

Well, uh in regards to the ones there, I would say Josh McPake's not that young, he's 24. Um although Josh McPake and Calvin Muller are the two that I'd be quite interested to know how what they're thinking at the moment. Because especially Josh McPake, I reckon would have been sold a dream by Derek McInneh. Would have been sold a dream, it would have been like, come here, you're gonna be he'll be you'd be watching that there would still be this Scottish core of players and watching like a Blair Spittle who's coming on Alan Forrest, who was still coming in the team regardless of what was there, and then looking at the wingers would have probably thought, okay, I might not play every week, and then basically, but it's before Mint before McCreak's got the um the scarf above the head, he is McInnes is obviously unhelled at IBOX. So it'd be interesting to know what he thinks the Calvin Muller one, I think he was maybe was probably obviously uh McInnesh choice as well. But it'd be interesting to know what was said in there because especially what we were still trying to negotiate with Miller and get him signed when McInnes was negotiating the Rangers. So it'd be quite interesting just to know Kenny for these two boys thoughts. Um and the final one is in Marbot would be Kennedy kind of mentioned them, is Stuart Finlay, because Stuart Finlay technically has signed a pre-contract agreement at Hart, he'd be a Heart Square when his contract expires on the 1st of July, which is a Wednesday. But I mean, we all know that these pre-contracts are really mean fuck all. So it'd be interesting. Or does McKinnon stake on for his third club in a row? I don't know. Um I'd imagine that he probably might stay.

SPEAKER_01 46:55

Um interesting that um McInnes was asked in his press conference, Andy, directly about any players that were at hearts that he's maybe interested in. And he said there is no player currently under contract, and that was his exact wording at hearts that he's interested in. So people were obviously maybe saying that means maybe Devlin could be maybe be the one that he's maybe got an eye on, but it's all conjecture, mate. But that's what he said.

SPEAKER_02 47:24

Okay, what? Fine. Like, genuinely he can have Cami Devlin. Um Cami Devlin at Rangers does not worry me. Cami Devlin at Rangers would be awful. Cammy Devlin had had a great season last season. But he was I had a good half season under Kitchway, but he was terrible at times. He's terrible when but he's not as good when he when when you've got the ball, when you're meant to be the team on the top, you see it, and you can see that when we're playing the boss county, Justin Johnson were living in that's not his game. He's good when he plays against you and given 12 hit because you've known what the ball is. He's chasing him down and trying to win the ball and try to win it back again because he's misplaced the path. But yeah, I mean if he wants to go there, that's fine. To me, I'm not that bothered. I think that we could do better uh than Camille Devlin. So yeah. Uh Kennedy, Fleming, what's your thoughts on that? If it is would be Camille Devlin uh going to range of I'm alright with that.

SPEAKER_01 48:28

Um I'm okay with that. I've I've I've I've kinda I've made my peace with Cammy leaving the club now, and I think I've said that a couple of times. Um I'm okay with it, Andy, because again, this new manager, style of player coming in. I I see this, as heart's finally trying to evolve the style of the play. As brilliant as Benny and Cami have been at times, they've been here coming up for five, six years now. That's a long time for the you know, two two players. Benny, I feel a bit for Benny because I do think Benny, without his bad injuries, maybe could have gone on maybe to like a certain level, but you know that that's by the by. Cami, I think Kami's kind of reached his his kind of peak of what he can do. Again, nobody on here is saying he's not a very, very good player, but you're right, mate. If you're going to be a team that is gonna be the team that is doing the attacking and has the ball and has an aggressive style of play, he's not gonna be the kind of player I believe that this manager will want. Not that this manager is maybe not going to want a DMC or a you know, a holder or a an enforcer, but yeah, you just you just you do. We need a little bit more for these, you know, the bottom sets and just someone chipping in the goals, you know. And if you've got Reno, Aju, you know, they're the kind of that you start to go, oh that could be quite uh that could be quite tasty. So nah, he would go, he would go with my best map, my best thoughts though. He has been really good for us, but yeah, if that's the kind of guy Rangers are signing well.

SPEAKER_02 50:08

If that's the kind of guy, yeah, well that's that. Um Kennedy, what's your thoughts in? I know you've read the list. What's your thoughts on the ins and outs then so far, Kennedy?

SPEAKER_00 50:18

Um, so far, uh it's been as pretty much as expected as you could think, sort of thing, you know. Um the players have been brought in, there's like majority of them you've never heard of because they're getting run through James Down Analytics and stuff like that. But you know, with that model, we're gonna come with some sort of pedigree to improve the team rather than sometimes with hearts like in the past with the own recruitment style, they would just sign players to add bodies in, and sometimes you wouldn't even have a plan for them, we were playing both positions and stuff like that. So it's quite exciting that's uh the second year in of Jamestown. So obviously, we're gonna be more advanced on it, and now what we've got is the manager in, we're gonna be expecting to use it a lot more due to the fact that um the guys obviously seem to be like more acceptive of his model, um, so it takes the pressure of him like recruitment-wise, and he can just concentrate on the football side there. Um as well, like you said about uh you know Big Pate and all that, yeah, we've probably been sold a different story, but let's be honest, that's part and parcel of football, isn't it? It's an example you take as a player when you sign for a club. Um, so as long as your intentions are still the same as when you sign, but it shouldn't really affect the player too much. If they should just be concentrating, getting fit for the season and uh hitting the ground running, really. Um that's what all professional players should be able to do, even a Scotch ones. Um so we can't just go up about and say, Oh, we've got a different manager now, uh I'm not happy about the refund, you know what I mean, and stuff like that in football, you know. So we just really have to get all of it, and I'm sure we will. Um, so I will see what happens with that. Um, like I say, there's a few there that I've never heard of, and I've had to do some like Google research and stuff like that myself, but from what I've seen of maybe a couple of clips of him, it's been potentially decent. Although it's hard to tell from highlights, obviously, so a lot of the time. But I it's that time of season where you just got all optimistic and where you can forget about the season before. Obviously, this season was a way bit different, maybe way bit longer to get over, but I'm slowly getting there myself, so I just start to actually look forward to the season beginning again. So bring it on, that's what I say.

SPEAKER_02 52:45

So well, then then obviously these are the players that are obviously away where it we I've already said that I would expect some of the younger ones to move on, such as your Folex and your Macaulay cakes, but there is a there is a big rumour and a big offer about for Claudio Bragger, who should be going for roughly around 10 million euros, which is about 8. We on that's the that's the big rumour. Um there's also rumors that there's some Greek clubs that are interested in Kerarita. Um some of the figures are a bit a bit weary, a bit up and down on things that I've seen. Um what do you think then would be a fair amount for for Keridas? Fear on mind the season he's had. Everything, don't just look at them. Maybe just not if you wouldn't just look at the numbers, what do you think a fair amount would be?

SPEAKER_00 53:48

I I just can't remember what actually contract he's on at the moment, to be honest with you. Not sure if it's two or three. Um, but I would say from what I've read as well, uh I've seen it as as high as like three million pounds for Kizarinas. And given the lack of goals that he didn't score for us, but the bottom chances haven't helped create. I think that's a fair amount, to be honest with you. Um he's not like prolific, but he's certainly got the potential to do some real damage for a team, if you know what I mean. So um I don't think it's too unrealistic for us to be expecting that sort of one. I would be happy with even two, to be honest with you, if we got that. Is that what I agree?

SPEAKER_01 54:35

Uh I I I agree, Gab. I think um I think like when Kizzy started like an express train last season, yeah. We're thinking or properly, maybe you know what we're like similar to what has been spoken about Bagger. Honestly, I was like, oh, five million plus, but just because he's hadn't he had that tail off pretty much since Christmas time, uh he's still a very, very good player and on his day. I mean, all that really happened was that for clubs worked out how to play against them because as you well know as well as two or four times, so yeah, they they they did they did, but you know, his his own performance is to be fair, mate, when Shanglin got his injury that that impacted on his game. He had a wee baby as well. So a couple of bits and pieces, but uh, I still think I I agree with you. I think two to three million, I think three million would be I think I think I'd bite your hand off for three million, two million, I think, would would be fair, and and I think hearts will sell because I just think you know Braga definitely because he anything above two million, I think you should take that. I don't think there should be any even questions asked, you know. I think two million, but who knows though? The the model might have uh because he's value is higher.

SPEAKER_02 55:52

The thing is, I think that I think we should be asking for higher. But um I don't I think three million is undervaluing what you get from them and what you understand.

SPEAKER_01 56:03

And I think that obviously I wonder if he'd done it for the whole season, Andy. I think I would agree with you, mate, but I just think the the the the the the the the the drop down the the in performance was quite was quite big.

SPEAKER_02 56:20

But then that comes down to the I I think that comes down to the manager as well, though. I think the manager didn't what the the manager couldn't work out how to get the best out of him or how to get the team the best out of the team to take advantage of because he of that happened to Kizaridas and then even trying to free up space, a wee bit more space for Casaridas. Um and that comes down, I think that comes down to the manager as well, because he was always he was probably a wee bit more defensive. Um whereas I think again if we're we're thinking about how we want our current manager to play, we a team wouldn't ever be able to double mark our our left winner or our right winner because it then would create too much space on the other side. And this is this this is always the problem is that we could never adjust to try and create that space space up again for today. You know, the guy has been uh hasn't had the greatest since January, but he still managed to get he didn't get called up for the March preseason for the international friends, but he got called up at the end of the season. So there must be something that's been seen by people that even though he's maybe not rattling in the goals that you did to the start of the season like a train, is there's other things as well that are you're seen in that and going by the way and then you think to yourself we think two we think two, three, four, five million pounds are a lot of money. But teams in Europe that there's teams in Europe that don't. Teams in Europe are what what are they willing to pay? Can they pay can they pay five million pounds for an international a player that is an international footballer now? Is that a steal compared to someone else in that position who could be £15 million? So is it is it easier to pay five million pounds at hearts to bite your handle for that, get this get this player in and then go from there because you're not waiting as much money with paying or the risk we're paying £15 million for a player who you think might be better than them, but again, there's still that risk because he's come from a French team or a German team or a Dutch team or a Belgian team because they've got higher values for their players for a certain probably similar level players because of the where they're coming from. The same way that if Kizzy be just played for Celtic, we'd be saying a seven or eight million pound player for having exactly the same performance because he's came to Celtic. And this is the thing as well. So would our team be willing to pay five million pounds for Kizzy because it's less a risk than paying £15 million for the same kind of player?

SPEAKER_01 58:52

That's that's that's no, that that's good points actually, Andy. I like just listening to how you're how you're uh uh framing that, mate. I I get your point, and I I guess um when I was maybe talking about two million, I'm maybe thinking about it maybe from like maybe pre-Jamestown when you would maybe just go take that, you know, to get the money that you know, just to get it in the door, because you're right, Jamestown. Well, we do not need to sell. So you're right, unless somebody comes in and um offers what Jamestown thinks is fair for Kizzy, he won't be going anywhere. So no, you're you're right. And his underlying numbers, other clubs obviously use data, so other clubs might see that that that more potential. So yeah, no, so I think what's good to know is if we sell players though, we we will get what we deserve for them, you know, exactly.

SPEAKER_00 59:46

And we're not and as well, there's been no noise from the players themselves to say, like, oh, Braga's handed in uh transfer request, or because he vice versa, you know what I mean? And or like their agents are going to the papers and like expressing like they want to leave and stuff like that. None of that's happening either. We've been very quiet on the subject of the transfer and stuff like that. They've been quite respectful to the club as well, I feel too. So that's another reason why we don't really have to sell either, eh?

SPEAKER_02 1:00:18

Exactly. We don't need to sell. We don't, we we we generally don't need to sell, and I think that's probably what happened last season and the reception that they got has probably opened their eyes to what kind of club it is as well. It sounds very cheesy, but I think that maybe opened their eyes just a wee bit of where they are and what level they're at, and the the fan base that is probably behind them as well. So yeah. Um anything else on sign and I think that's a great date with signings.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:50

As far as our my list goes, yeah. Um miss someone uh uh can you think of?

SPEAKER_02 1:00:56

Well, have we missed anybody? Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:59

No, no, no, I I think that that that's that that sounds right. And you know, just just just briefly, lads, I know we're only we're not, you know, we're coming up to the end of June now. Obviously, another two months of the window to go. I I I still I mean, we know there'll be a lot more activity, but I I still think our kind of our our proper, like our signature sign-ins, if you like, are still to come. So by that I mean maybe the uh the striker, for example, you know. So I mean like the Aju, but for example, I mean maybe a bit of a bad example, but I know you know what I mean. They um uh the big buttons, so that's exciting, you know, and this is the this is the manager just in as well, and all these players have kind of come in prior to him coming in, so he's obviously gonna have a look at it and be like, oh, I maybe want this player or or whatever. So that's exciting in itself. And I think just just briefly, lads, I think what's good here is that this might so this was like you know, if this was pre-Jamestown, you'd maybe have a concern about a new manager coming in at this stage and all these players haven't been signed, and you might be like, oh no, new manager, oh, he's gonna rip it all up, he's gonna want to do this, right? But again, because of how Jamestown works and because of how sign players for certain styles and certain philosophies, yeah, not every single one of them, but I think a lot of the vast majority of these players will still fit in to what the new manager wants, and it's not a case of someone coming in going, Oh, I play uh a five at the back, I need to go sign this player, or you know, I play the big laddie up front, I need to go and sign a big striker. So not I not every sign-in is going to perfectly align, but I know you know what I mean. Like it it'll be it'll be consistency, and it doesn't need to be a bit tough. And again, that's exciting. That's exciting.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:59

Yeah, no, definitely. Um I'll let Kennedy finish off and he's hosting.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:05

Yeah, as anything else that you guys want to mention or talk about before we sign off. Yeah, Silas, I'm gonna take that as uh yeah, that's fine. So I uh thanks again for listening, everyone. That's uh been quite a lot to get into. Obviously, I mean a lot's happened this week. Uh but it's getting to that exciting stage of a season where players are coming back from our holidays, the World Cup. Uh, some some of the players might be uh coming back from uh or just one, as we know. Um and uh it's just that sort of time when it's like you're starting to get into the football game because you know it's coming back. However, I mean we all talk about uh mental health about us a lot. Um this is quite a tough time of year for a lot of folk because people aren't seeing their friends as much at the games, or not going to have as much and stuff like that at the weekends, or we're being a bit lost and stuff like that. So if don't feel like that, because we all feel like that sometimes in the summer, uh so try speak about it, try open up about it. Uh if you've not heard from a friend since the football and you want to see how we're doing since uh close of the season, check in with them and stuff like that. Um if you just want to just have a cast or just like light off some Steam, that's always good as well. Don't keep things bottled up. Um so aye. Um thanks very much for listening to, like I said. You'll get us another usual streaming sites. Uh we are having thoughts about new stuff happen in the podcast maybe shortly. Uh keep an eye out for that or the show shows. Um, so maybe we got one or two exciting things for next season that we're changing up. Um, if you have any feedback for us and you'd like to see added in possibly, give us uh heads up as well. We can talk about it as a group. We're quite happy to listen to ideas to make us better. Also, we are on the lookout for a sponsor, haha, just joking. Um, but seriously, um, thanks very much for listening. Uh, that's uh pause here for me.