Hearts' Rogers Mato celebrates with Christian Borchgrevink after scoring to make it 2-0SNS

Hearts' Rogers Mato celebrates with Christian Borchgrevink after scoring to make it 2-0

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Hearts cruised into the League Cup semi-finals with a composed and clinical win over Championship leaders Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.

Having upset top-flight Motherwell in the previous round, the part-time hosts were unable to repeat the feat against a dominant and in-form Hearts.

Kinlay Bilham should have done better with an early chance to give the home side a surprise lead after Sabri Guendouz glanced wastefully wide for Wouter Vrancken's side in a cagey start.

Hearts continued to grow into the game and were again close to an opener through JJ Williams, but his header was easily gathered by Darren Jamieson.

Soon after, though, Williams had his first goal in his first start, rifling in a low shot from close range after clever work from Tomas Magnusson.

Buoyed by their lead, Hearts showed great attacking impetus, particularly from the lively and direct Rogers Mato, who soon doubled their lead.

The Uganda international showed exceptional speed to meet a threaded pass from Guendouz, and equally impressive poise to slide in his side's second.

A much more sedate second half followed until Hearts added a well-worked third when Yan Dhanda lashed in on the end of a smart back-post knock-down by Williams.

The visitors finished the game in relative ease to move into Sunday's semi-final draw.

Hearts analysis: Visitors show strength in depth

Head coach Vrancken made six changes from his previous starting XI, but Hearts seldom looked to have dropped off in terms of quality.

Claudio Braga and James Wilson, as well as lauded wingers Josh McPake and Calvin Miller, dropped to the bench along with defender Jordi Altena. Their absences weren't notable, which is a compliment to Hearts' recruitment.

Leading the line from the start, Williams showed why he was identified by Jamestown Analytics.

Power, speed, directness, and excellent positioning - as exemplified by the game's opening goal - as well as his tenacity and determination, will surely make him a valuable asset this season as Hearts continue to fight on all fronts.

A lot was made in the summer about the turnover at Tynecastle, both on and off the park, but much like Vrancken's rotation, they are making the transition look effortless.

Yan Dhanda scores for HeartsSNS

Yan Dhanda scored his first goal for Hearts since January 2025

Stenhousemuir analysis: Step too far for part-timers

Marvin Bartley gave us a peek behind the curtain pre-match, telling BBC Scotland that his side gets together just twice a week for just 75 minutes of training.

There will be an onus on the players to keep everything ticking over outside of those sessions, but to get past Motherwell in the previous round and not be overwhelmed by the occasion here speaks volumes of how far they've come.

Promoted to the Championship for the first time under Gary Naysmith, they too have had a summer of change as he left for Ayr United and Bartley came in.

Before this, they had yet to lose this season and cannot be overly disheartened by their first taste of defeat, given the level of opposition.

What they said

Stenhousemuir manager Marvin Bartley: "I'm proud of the players. I spoke to them before about emptying the tank and they most definitely did that.

"We are disappointed with the second goal especially. It comes from a mistake from us and, for the third goal, we all get attracted to JJ Williams at the back post and Yan Dhanda is free in the centre of the box.

"We have got to the quarter-finals, a part-time team, the boys have been working all day, then playing in this game at night. I can't ask for more from them.

"They really emptied the tank today and we were beaten by the better team, which does happen in football."

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "A really good game, mature and professional, not forcing things. They played within the game plan and showed energy. I am happy to see how they handled it.

"[JJ Williams] played a really good game. He has an open personality and he is fitting in and finding connection outside of the pitch already with others.

"He had a chance to show from the start and he did the right things and tried to help his team-mates and did the right things out of possession."