If you’re a Hearts fan, chances are you probably didn’t enjoy your weekend as much as others.
The Jambos drew 1-1 with East Fife in League Cup action, before losing the bonus point penalty shootout. Over the past four games though, Hearts have been bang average at best.
Hearts haven’t been great recently. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Some Hearts fans are quite rightly not too optimistic about the season ahead. Some even have growing concerns about how much further manager Craig Levein can take the side.
It might seem like doom and gloom right now in the aftermath of the East Fife draw, but here are some reasons to be positive as a Hearts fan.
A favorable cup draw
Due to their inability to beat the likes of East Fife and Dundee United in 90 minutes, Hearts found themselves in the unseeded section of the League Cup draw, where they could have been drawn against the likes of Celtic, Rangers and city rivals Hibs.
An Edinburgh derby was a possibility. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Instead they got an away trip to Motherwell. Whilst the Steelmen have been in impressive form, this is a decent tie given the alternatives for Hearts.
Both teams are evenly matched, although you could make the argument that Hearts are slight favourites on paper. This is not a bad draw by any stretch of the imagination and gives Levein a decent chance of making the quarter finals.
Steven Naismith will be back soon
Hearts are a different beast when Naismith is on the park. His experience, attacking class and finishing ability easily make him the Jambos’ most dangerous player when on song.
Naismith will be back soon. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Official confirmation of his return to Tynecastle will be announced soon enough. With that will come his return to action, having missed a large part of last season through injury.
Having scored 14 goals from 27 appearances last term, his influence is unquestionable. Naismith’s addition to the misfiring Gorgie forward line will be a boost Hearts fans can look forward to in the coming weeks.
The emergence of young talent
Probably the thing to be most positive about right now as a Hearts supporter, the Jambos have talented youngsters coming out of their ears at the moment.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 19: Aaron Hickey of Hearts holds off Karamoko Dembele of Celtic during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on May 19, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Andy Irving Anthony McDonald, Harry Cochrane, Connor Smith, Aaron Hickey, Dario Zanatta and Aidan Keena are just some of the young players looking to break into the first-team right now.
Granted a couple of them perhaps aren’t ready yet, but in a short while, the Jambos will have some brilliant youth options to select for their first-team.
Not only will they contribute on the park, but if they develop correctly, they could be sold on for a high fee.
Potential money spinners. (Photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Levein can’t rely on his youngsters too heavily, but it’s exciting to see so many pushing for senior squad places.