Interim boss Liam Fox praised bottom-of-the-table Hearts for having the resolve to dig out a stoppage-time equaliser and end their eight-game losing streak at home to Ross County.
Lawrence Shankland’s last-gasp header salvaged a 1-1 draw for the beleaguered Edinburgh side after Ronan Hale’s stunning first-half strike for the Staggies looked like consigning them to another defeat.
Although in no mood for jubilation, Fox was heartened by the way Hearts persisted to the end in their first match since the sacking of manager Steven Naismith last Sunday.
“I’m not sitting here celebrating taking a point,” he stressed. “What pleased me is we kept going, we kept playing forward, that was the most important thing.
“From where we’ve been and on the run we’ve had, it would have been easy to go into their shells, but Lawrence came up with the goods at the end, which he’s done numerous times before.
“As I said, we’re not celebrating a point, but I’d rather we took something from the game than nothing.”
Fox was delighted to see captain Shankland, who scored 31 last term, notch his first goal of the season after nine games without scoring.
“Nobody here’s ever doubted Lawrence’s ability,” he said. “He’s been on a difficult run, he’s not scored lately, but good strikers keep getting in positions and keep backing themselves and he came good for us in the 96th minute.
“Ask any striker, they love scoring goals and if they don’t they can get down on themselves, but I’ve not felt that from him this week. I’m hoping this will kick-start a good run of form for him.”
County boss Don Cowie was proud of his team’s display despite conceding such a late equaliser.
“I’m not angry, I’m proud of the group,” he said. “We battled against a really good team and put our bodies on the line to try and get the clean sheet. It was frustrating to get so close, but it’s still a good point.
“People probably felt this was a good opportunity for Hearts to get back on the winning trail because it was Ross County coming with a poor away record and there had been a manager change.
“It was about standing up to that and starting really well, keeping the home fans as quiet as we could.
“Obviously when you concede as late as we did you’re deflated, but I have reminded them of the never-say-die attitude and the togetherness they showed. That will stand us in good stead.”
[(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...
