2008–09 Heart of Midlothian F.C. season

Season Overview

Hearts began the campaign with a new manager, Csaba László, at the helm. The club began the season with a home win against Motherwell and had a good run in the early stages of the campaign, climbing as high as second in the table in late September. The good start looked under threat when it was revealed that players wages had not been paid, although the problem was blamed on a "technical hitch" with wages to be paid on Friday 26 September. However, in April 2009 the club was able to announce a £6 million reduction in their debt level.

Hearts entered the Scottish League Cup at the second round and were given a tough game by First Division side Airdrie United, being defeated on penalties after a 0–0 draw.

After a run of poor results in October, the club set off on a run of five league wins in a row starting with a 1–0 away win over St Mirren and culminating in a 2–1 home win over Rangers that left them third in the table. However Hearts' strike force had only managed to score 2 goals in 19 games and was looking ineffective. After a 1–1 draw at Celtic Park, there followed a draw at home against Dundee United, a defeat at Pittodrie and a goalless draw against Hibernian.

The club entered the Scottish Cup in the Fourth Round where they faced Edinburgh derby rivals Hibernian at Easter Road. Hearts won the game 2–0 with goals from Christian Nadé and Gary Glen to set up a Fifth Round tie with Falkirk. They were then eliminated by Falkirk following a 1–0 home defeat.

Hearts boosted their chances of a third-place finish and qualification for the Europa League with a 2–1 win over 5th-placed Aberdeen, Christian Nade cancelled out Darren Mackie's opener on the stroke of half time before Andy Driver scored the winner in the second half.

On 28 February Hearts beat fellow 3rd place hopefuls, Dundee Utd 1–0 at Tannadice with Michael Stewart's second half strike. This moved them 5 points clear in 3rd place, following which Hearts then defeated Motherwell 2–1 at Tynecastle with a last minute goal from Ruben Palazuelos.

Hearts visited Easter Road on 14 March and lost 1–0 through Steven Fletcher's goal. Hearts then took themselves to Ibrox where they found themselves 2–0 down at half time but a spirited second half changed the course of the match with Christos Karipidis and Ruben Palazuelos both netting to make it 2–2.

Hearts then followed their success with a terrific 3–1 over Kilmarnock at Tynecastle. Hearts lost an early goal from Danny Invincible but a Calum Elliot brace and a Bruno Aguiar strike made Hearts comfortable winners, securing a top six finish, which they failed to achieve the previous season, the only time in the club's history.

After success against Kilmarnock, Hearts faced Celtic in the second last game before the split. Hearts lost a goal inside the 1st minute from Venegoor of Hessilink but equalised before half time from an outstanding freekick from Bruno Aguiar, gaining Hearts another point from the Old Firm. This left only an away game at Falkirk before the league table split. Despite a 2–0 loss to Rangers and a 1–0 loss to Hibs, Hearts beat Dundee United 3–0 to finish in third place in Csaba Lazlo's debut season. Their final game, a 0–0 draw with Celtic, ensured that the Glasgow club missed out on the title.

Results and fixtures

Pre-season / Friendlies

In Laszlo's first game in charge Hearts drew 1–1 with Northern Irish side Glentoran (losing 6–5 on penalties.) Two days later Hearts travelled to Dunfermline Athletic where they lost 1–0. On the same day Hearts set out on their 10-day pre-season tour of Germany.

Berra Žaliūkas Kingston Stewart Mäkelä

Scottish Premier League

Main article: 2008–09 Scottish Premier League

Kšanavičius Mikoliūnas Boyd Stewart Mehmet Driver Arfield Daly Robertson Bryson Caldwell Jónsson Driver Kingston Wallace Karipidis Kingston Mihadjuks Imrie Driver Palazuelos Bamba Ferguson Palazuelos Aguiar Boyd Aguiar Jónsson

Scottish League Cup

Main article: 2008–09 Scottish League Cup

Scottish Cup

Main article: 2008–09 Scottish Cup

Glen

First team player statistics

Squad information

:Last updated 24 May 2009 During the 2008–09 campaign, Hearts used thirty players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.

Team statistics

League table

Management statistics

:Last updated 24 May 2009

Transfers

Lazslo's first signing came on 20 July 2008 when he signed Ugandan international, David Obua. On 11 August 2008, Mike Tullberg signed a one-year loan deal with Hearts, becoming Laszlo's second signing, but his career in Edinburgh was set back by recurring injury problems.

During the January transfer window the club lost Christophe Berra to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth around £2.5 million. Robbie Neilson was handed the captain's armband following Berra's departure.

Players in

Players out

Loans in

Loans out

References

References

1. "Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo is glad his players are in demand".
2. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7624424.stm Hearts 1–0 Inverness CT ] at [[BBC News]]
3. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/7632254.stm Hearts settle staff wages problem] from [[bbc.co.uk]]
4. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/8015992.stm Hearts announce reduction in debt] from [[bbc.co.uk]]
5. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7740109.stm Hearts 2–1 Falkirk] from [[bbc.co.uk]]
6. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8062743.stm Celtic 0–0 Hearts]
7. "Soccerbase Hearts Squad Stats 2008/09".
8. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/7870646.stm Neilson is new Tynecastle skipper] from [[bbc.co.uk]]
9. (6 August 2008). "Obua delight at Hearts transfer". BBC Sport.
10. (18 September 2008). "Hearts winger Andrew Driver to miss out against Inverness". Daily Record Sport.
11. (2 February 2009). "Paperwork completed".
12. (16 May 2008). "Hearts' McCann Joins Falkirk, Tall Also Leaves". Vital Football.
13. (2 June 2008). "Bednar ties up £2.3m Albion move". BBC Sport.
14. (2 June 2008). "Clyde swoop to sign three players". BBC Sport.
15. (14 September 2008). "Vasco acerta com os atacantes Pinilla e Marcelo Brás". [[Universo Online]].
16. (10 June 2008). "Tall completes Nantes switch". Sky Sports.
17. (29 October 2008). "Lithgow signs short-term deal". Clyde FC.
18. (28 January 2009). "Keeper Basso released by Hearts". BBC Sport.
19. (2 February 2009). "Berra completes Wolves transfer". BBC Sport.
20. (2 February 2009). "Makela leaves Hearts". Heartsfc.co.uk.
21. (11 August 2008). "Danish striker gets one year loan deal with Hearts". [[Heart of Midlothian F.C..
22. (14 August 2008). "Hearts sign Kaunas keeper Kello". BBC Sport.
23. (25 August 2008). "Balogh completes Hearts loan deal". BBC Sport.
24. (28 August 2008). "Hearts seal Mrowiec deal". Sky Sports.
25. (5 July 2008). "Hearts loan out Goncalves". Sky Sports.
26. (26 August 2008). "Hearts' Elliot joins Livi on loan". Sky Sports.
27. (1 September 2008). "Sives moves to Queen of the South". BBC Sport.
28. (10 January 2009). "Dunfermline loan Mole from Hearts". BBC Sport.