Derek McInnes has praised his strikers for opening the 2025/26 campaign in blistering form.
Elton Kabangu, James Wilson and Claudio Braga all hit the target in last night’s Premier Sports Cup win over Hamilton Academical.
With James also finding the net against Dunfermline last Saturday, a match in which Lawrence Shankland scored a brace, that means that six of the Jambos eight goals across the first two group stage games have all come from the frontmen, a fact not lost on the Head Coach.
Speaking to Hearts TV, Derek said; “It wasn't perfect but I think when you look at the two games, eight goals, I can't really complain about that.
“The other positive and a big positive for us was keeping the clean sheet because you can see how losing a cheap goal at the weekend can set you back and make things that bit more difficult.
“We passed up two or three great chances really in the first half to get in at half-time far more comfortable. Elton getting the second goal just on half-time was very important for us and we spoke about half-time about maybe just trying to make sure that we were professional from the outset.
“We scored two very good goals, more strikers getting amongst it. Wee James scores a great goal with an assist from Claudio and Claudio scored an all-important goal and I think everybody enjoyed those goals.
“The job of the striker, the main job is to score goals and they should all take that responsibility on. There's also the part of it to get the team up the pitch and to make sure you work hard and do your job.
“All the strikers we've got have different attributes, but you want them all to score goals and you see how they celebrate goals, which is great and what you want.
“They should all be hungry to be the guys that get that jersey more often than not this season.”
Derek’s interview is available to watch in full by clicking here.
