'Big, physical Hearts': Current Tynecastle team defy stereotype as cinch Premiership crime-count revealed

You know what you’re getting with the lads from Gorgie. You’re getting industrial, route-one football and going up against a side full of bruising brutes who will make it a battle before trying to play.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Of course, anyone who has watched the men in maroon for any particular length of time knows this is complete nonsense, but that doesn’t stop pundits repeating it whenever they flail about for analysis of Hearts throughout the years.

It’s particularly untrue of the current side, who boast such footballing heavyweights as Cammy Devlin, Alex Cochrane, Michael Smith, Barrie McKay and Josh Ginnelly in their starting XI on a near weekly basis. Robbie Neilson’s side don’t win games by smashing the opposition into surrender, but by trying to outplay them with the ball at their feet and producing moments of magic in the final third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Underlining this point, and going against the tired stereotype, is the crime-count table for each team in the cinch Premiership so far in 2022/23.

Robert Snodgrass struggles to get back to his feet after being fouled by Alex Gogic during a match between Hearts and St Mirren at Tynecastle Park. Picture: SNSRobert Snodgrass struggles to get back to his feet after being fouled by Alex Gogic during a match between Hearts and St Mirren at Tynecastle Park. Picture: SNS
Robert Snodgrass struggles to get back to his feet after being fouled by Alex Gogic during a match between Hearts and St Mirren at Tynecastle Park. Picture: SNS

The Tynecastle outfit are actually in joint-first for red cards this season with six, same as Livingston. However, the other categories tell a very different story.

The 45 yellow cards the club has received is second lowest only behind Celtic. That’s because with 265 fouls, only Aberdeen and bottom-placed Dundee United have given away more.

As for being on the receiving end, no team has suffered more fouls this campaign than Hearts. Jambo players have been hacked down 334 times, which is 20 more than the nearest side Kilmarnock.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article. If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.