Hearts' post-match huddle: Schwolow unveils Hibs talks

Reflections on the Defeat and Preparation for the Upcoming Match

Following their recent 3-2 loss to Hibs at Easter Road, Hearts players engaged in deep discussions to address the issues that led to the defeat. Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow shared insights into the team's efforts to ensure such a result does not happen again. The conversations took place in the Riccarton dressing room, where honesty and openness were key.

The upcoming match against Livingston at Tynecastle marks Hearts’ first Scottish Premiership fixture of 2026. Schwolow provided an update on how the week has progressed. “We spoke a lot individually in the team. Just what we could have done better, what was not so good and things like that,” he explained. “After we had recovery, we said: ‘Okay, today is the first real training session for the week. So we have to bounce back. We have to get our bodies and our minds ready for a good training.’”

The training sessions have been positive, with good energy on the pitch. Schwolow noted the presence of strong, intelligent players who support each other. “I saw good players so we set ourselves in a good position to train on Thursday, Friday, and then we are in a good position to start the game on Saturday. I think we have a lot of smart guys in the team who are socially very intelligent. They always know how to treat players who need support or players who need to get back up or get their mind clear.”

He highlighted the experience within the team and the collective strength of the locker room. “They are very experienced players. I cannot point out just one single player. It's just a few. I think there's also strength in this locker room. We know how to switch the mood back to energy and get positive energy back. That's a good sign. That you have the base to be ready for a good training, to clear your mind, to be in a good position to win the next game, which is on Saturday.”

A New Chapter at Hearts

Livingston will be Schwolow’s 15th game for Hearts since joining as a free agent in September. The German goalkeeper is enjoying his time in Scottish football, despite some surprises. “I like it a lot. I like the league a lot. It’s a lot of fun to play this league,” he smiled. “I was enjoying being here at Hearts from the beginning. The locker room is packed with a lot of good guys. I was positively surprised by the quality in training, which was just the same as I was used to in the Bundesliga.”

Schwolow admitted being surprised by the amount of play on artificial turf. “I didn't know you play so much on artificial turf. I would say that was also a little bit surprising for me as well, but the rest was only positives. Quality, atmosphere in the stadium. The rain was not so much as I expected. Because you think in the UK it's raining a lot. It's a myth. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the decision.”

He also shared his thoughts on the astroturf. “The astros are not too bad to be honest. We have sometimes a lot of bad pitches in Germany. I don't know what's better. To play on a good astro or a bad grass. I think the wind sometimes can be more challenging than the surface. It’s no problem. It has been a long time since I played on astro.”

First-Choice Goalkeeper and Future Goals

Schwolow is content, albeit slightly surprised, at being installed as the first-choice goalkeeper at Hearts. Scotland internationalists Craig Gordon and Zander Clark are behind him in the pecking order. “You never know where you are when you come back. I hadn’t played so much last season - only six games I think in the Bundesliga. Then I had a very long summer break so you don't know where your body really is.”

He emphasized the importance of his off-season preparation. “I did a lot in my time off. That was good. That's why I was ready. I had a very good start with four wins in a row with four clean sheets. That helps you a lot. Then you are self-confident and everything goes a little bit your way sometimes. After the four clean sheets, you want to have more of this. As a goalie, you always want a clean sheet. It could still be more in my opinion. We are defending a lot of times well. The last game was not good, but we can do it.”