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

Hearts hosted Lee Johnson’s Sunderland in a pre-season friendly this afternoon.
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)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)
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.

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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

Full time: Hearts 0-2 Sunderland

90: And that’s it. Aiden McGeady’s double wins it against an underwhelming Hearts.

Cracking ball in from McEneff, but Roberts can’t manage to direct it into the net.

79: Off the post for Hearts.

Unlucky from Connor Smith who cannons a 20-yard drive off Patterson’s post. Closest they’ve came so far.

70: Damour into the book for diving...

The substitute is in the book for a fairly obvious dive in the box...

67: Changes for Sunderland now.

O’Brien, Stewart and Neil off for Evans, Grigg and Richardson on.

Roberts, McGill, Watson, Popescu, C.Smith and Damour are all on for Hearts. Halliday, Pollock, Souttar, Halkett, Cochrane are M.Smith off.

Few changes for Hearts. Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven off, Liam Henderson and Aaron McEneff on.

Half time: Hearts 0-2 Sunderland.

Sunderland in the lead at half time thanks to two Aiden McGeady goals. Improvement needed from Hearts after a poor first half.

45: Sunderland dominating here...

Lee Johnsons side should have a third, as Embleton and Stewart go close. Hearts are all over the shop.

42: GOAL. Hearts 0-2 Sunderland. McGeady gets his second.

McGeady is heavily involved today and has his second already. Nice ball from Gooch, and the forward smashes home.

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