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Hearts expert on new Oxford United signing Frankie Kent

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The 30-year-old joined the U’s on a free transfer after his contract expired in Edinburgh and is the first new face to arrive in OX4 in the summer transfer window.

Kent is also the first new addition under Aaron Ramsey after the Oxford head coach replaced Matt Bloomfield last week.

The ex-Peterborough United and Colchester United centre back has League One experience with the Posh before moving across the border in 2023.

The Oxford Mail spoke to Craig Cairns of the Hearts Standard to find out more…

Firstly, why did Hearts release Kent?

Hearts are going in a different direction, which means that players like Kent were always going to be moved on eventually. It is possible he would have left last summer but Derek McInnes was appointed as manager and he is the type of defender McInnes likes: no nonsense.

He probably thought he could make himself a regular but he could barely get in the team because of the form of Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay.

Kent was the third choice for most of the season. He said this was the first time in his career he hasn’t been a regular starter.

Heart of Midlothian’s Frankie Kent during a training session (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

What are his best attributes?

He’s great in the air, though should score more goals, physical and good at 1v1 defending.

Where he lacks, and why he is no longer a Hearts player, is probably because of his ability on the ball. He isn’t terrible at it but Hearts have made a point of signing players more comfortable on the ball, including defenders.

He seemed like a fan favourite at Hearts – what was it about him that fans loved?

The reason is he is so popular is that he always gave his all. He had poor days like everyone else but his attitude was never in doubt.

Imagine he would be easy to work with as well. In interviews he was always really nice. Just a top guy.

Emotional Heart of Midlothian players Cameron Devlin (left) and Frankie Kent (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Does a move back to League One with Oxford suit Kent? How do you think he will fare?

I can’t say I know too much about the style or standard in League One, but from what I can tell there are similarities in terms of physicality. There’s no doubt he’ll deal with that no problem and he came to Scotland with plenty of experience in England from his time at Peterborough.

Obviously there are no guarantees with any signing, but I am confident Kent will be a success.

He seems like a leader and is experienced at 30 years old? Has he still got enough left in the tank?

Heart of Midlothian’s Frankie Kent and Marc Leonard (right) (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

He’s definitely a leader.

Whenever Hearts’ vice-captain Halkett was unavailable, Kent was the back-up. Part of this was down to his leadership abilities.

And 30 is young in football now. I’m confident he’s still got at least a few years in him.





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Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey on long-awaited Huddersfield clash

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The Yellows travel to West Yorkshire on Tuesday night for their third League One fixture of the season.

Ramsey’s side have drawn and won each of their first couple of third-tier games so far and will face Huddersfield for the first time in a competitive match since 2004.

The Terriers have begun the campaign with the same record, looking impressive under manager Martin Drury.

Oxford beat last season’s play-off semi-finalists Stevenage last time out, two second-half strikes seeing a resolute United past their physical opponents.

“We want to be on the front foot,” Ramsey reiterated ahead of the trip to the Accu Stadium.

“We want to be controlling games and that’s the way that my staff and I feel like is the best way to do that and win football games.

“It’s difficult to just keep taking blows and blows and trying to keep the opposition.

“For me, it’s to have as much control on the game as possible.”

The last time Oxford faced off against the Terriers was in March 2004 when they were beaten 1-0 at home in the Third Division.

In their 26 total match-ups, the Yellows have won just nine whilst Huddersfield have come away victorious on 13 occasions.

Drury’s side finished ninth in the third tier last season but, after bringing in some good new signings, are set for a strong campaign in a competitive league.

“They’re a really good team,” Ramsey admitted.

“The manager has implemented his ideas across there and you can see that they’re a settled team with good ideas.

Oxford United manager Aaron RamseyOxford United manager Aaron Ramsey (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

“But, again, full focus is on us and on how we want to approach the game.

“We’ve had a few tests so far, which we really stood up to.

“So, it’ll be different on Tuesday, another tough test, but one that will prepare the boys as best we can.

READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United

READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur

“When the boys are playing the way that they are and buying into it, yeah, of course, there has to be positivity around there.

“Obviously, as well, there’s moments when we do look back on things and we identify areas that we can improve on.

“We want to win football games, so we need to score goals. We want to be exciting.”

Tuesday night also sees the arrival of transfer deadline day.

11PM – approximately an hour after full time in West Yorkshire – sees the window slam shut.

Oxford remain under a temporary transfer embargo, however Ramsey has said that the club is “working to try and come up with a few things” after Stanley Mills left for Championship club Preston North End last week.





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Oxford United CEO resignation after relegation and transfer embargo

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Following a turbulent summer at Oxford United, which has included a change of manager and a transfer embargo, the club’s CEO has resigned.



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What next for Oxford United after Stanley Mills departure

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The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.

After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.

He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.

Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.

That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.

“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”

Stan Mills is set for a move to Preston in JanuaryStan Mills has joined Preston (Image: Jason Dawson)

Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.

Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.

In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.

READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United

READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur

But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.

So, what now for United?

The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.

Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.

Oxford United's Stan Mills celebrates Ciaron Brown's goal against Preston North EndOxford United’s Stan Mills celebrates Ciaron Brown’s goal against Preston North End (Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)

Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.

Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.

Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.

Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.





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