Steven Naismith felt Hearts only had themselves to blame as they were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by Falkirk.
Hearts created numerous first-half chances but failed to take any and paid the price when their Championship hosts scored twice after the break through Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait to book their place in the quarter-finals, much to the frustration of the large travelling support.
Naismith admitted he was similarly annoyed after seeing his team eliminated due to a combination of poor finishing and sloppy defending.
The Hearts manager said: “I’m disappointed that we’re out of the cup. Frustrated and disappointed.
“It’s a cup tie, you have four great chances in the first half and you don’t take them.
“And we spoke about when we are being aggressive in possession, you’ve got to watch that counter because that’s a big thing for any team you come up against. That’s what leads to the first goal.
“And at the second goal we kill ourselves again, which effectively takes the tie away from us.
“I’m really frustrated because the way we started the game, we had good chances. But you’ve got to take them. If you don’t take them, you leave yourself vulnerable to what Falkirk do. And that’s exactly what happened today.
“The fans are going to be disappointed when you’re not winning a cup tie where you’re favourites to go through.
“I think as the game went on we started making wrong decisions. Too many balls went into the goalie’s hands and giving up too many fouls, which then kills the momentum. And ultimately that second goal.”
John McGlynn praised his Falkirk players as they continued their excellent start to the campaign.
He said: “The boys were absolutely magnificent. They just turn out performance after performance, so I’m delighted with them. They’ve got to take all of the praise, they are out there doing the business.
“They weathered the storm early doors and (goalkeeper) Nicky Hogarth did really well with a couple of saves with his legs.
“But after we got over that opening period, I thought we grew into the game.
“Keelan Adams was causing them problems down the right and, lo and behold, that’s what happened with the first goal.
“I’m delighted with my defenders to get a clean sheet against a team like Hearts, who have a lot of attacking options. I’m delighted to be in the draw.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
