Hearts 0 Sunderland 2 RECAP: Jambos lose as former Celtic man Aiden McGeady hits a double

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 17: Hearts' Gary Mackay-Steven in action against Sunderland's Tom Flanagan during the Friendly Match between Hearts and Sunderland at Tynecastle Park on July 17, 2021, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

Hearts’ next pre-season test will come in the shape of Lee Johnson’s Sunderland side, who make the short journey to Edinburgh this afternoon, with the Jambos stepping up their fitness levels ahead of their return to the Scottish Premiership in front of approximately 2000 spectators.

It will be the first time the sides have met in over a decade. The Black Cats last made the trip to Tynecastle in 2009, back then a Premier League Sunderland side had a debut goal from Darren Bent to thank for a 1-0 pre-season victory over Csaba László’s Hearts.

The match could also see Hearts captain Craig Gordon face his former side for the first time since his departure in 2012, with the Scotland stopper in the Hearts squad for today’s friendly.

The match is just the second pre-season fixture for the visiting while Robbie Neilson’s first team have completed two friendlies, alongside back to back Premier Sports Cup wins over Peterhead and Cove Rangers, who they dispatched 2-0 and 3-0 respectively.

This afternoon’s game is sure to be a competitive one, with both sides determined to show they mean business ahead of their respective league seasons.

You can follow all the action as it happens in our live blog:

Hearts vs Sunderland LIVE

Key Events

Aiden McGeady put away side in the lead from the penalty spot
McGeady doubled the lead after great work from Lynden Gooch
Hearts sporting new blue and black away kit at Tynecastle

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 15:34 BST

34: Fantastic save from the Hearts ‘keeper

Ross Stewart does superbly well to keep Hearts in it after a slack pass allowed Aiden O’Brien a clear run at goal.

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 15:33 BST

31: McGeady in the book for an alleged dive.

McGeady goes into the book after going down in the area. Referee called a dive. The Tynecastle crowd erupts in applause. The former Celtic man the pantomime villain today.

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 15:31 BST

McGeady celebrates

The former Celtic man seemed to enjoy that...

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 15:28 BST

28: Can Hearts get back into this?

Well, they’re trying to.

Hearts are enjoying the bulk of possession, but have so far created little.

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 15:15 BST

14: GOAL. McGeady scores the penalty.

Former Celtic man Aiden McGeady sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and the visitors take the lead.

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 15:09 BSTUpdated 15:14 BST

13: Penalty for Sunderland!

Sunderland forward Ross Stewart is felled by Hearts goalkeeper Ross Stewart. McGeady to take.

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 15:00 BST

1: We’re underway

The game kicks off with Hearts in their new blue change kit.

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 14:18 BST

Sunderland team news

Sat, 17 Jul, 2021, 14:09 BST

Hearts team news

Fri, 16 Jul, 2021, 15:37 BST

Welcome to Tynecastle

Welcome to this afternoon’s live blog. It’s a beautiful day here at Tynecastle, where we expect 2000 fans in the stands for the second time this week here at the home of the Jambos. With both sides desperate to show they have what it takes to go on and have a successful 21/22 season, today’s game could be a cracker and we’ll have all the latest news, including all of today’s team news and match updates, throughout the match on today’s live blog.