Hearts are flying high at the top of the Scottish Premier League and could win the whole thing this season, even though both Celtic and Rangers are breathing down their neck.
Not since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in 1985 have a club other than Celtic or Rangers won the SPL. Derek McInnes’ side are five points clear of Rangers in second, with Celtic six points back as things stand – with 12 games to go, a title challenge that would have seemed fairly impossible at the start of the season is well and truly underway.
So how have they done it?
Two big reasons: Brighton owner Tony Bloom and Old Firm incompetence – let’s start with the former.
Brighton have been admired for their ability to find players that nobody else considers signing, turning them into superstars that make them compete in the Premier League and selling them on for loads of cash. That approach is underlined by access to some of the most advanced data analytics in football through a company called Jamestown Analytics.
Through Bloom’s investment in the club, Hearts now have access to that very same data, which has also been credited with catapulting Belgian side Union St Gilloise to their first league title in 90 years.
Players came in from sides in Portugal, Estonia, Slovakia, Norway and Kazakhstan – and have all contributed. A late winner against bitter rivals Hibernian on Tuesday was scored by an Icelandic midfielder who cost less than £100k. Whatever they’re doing, it’s working.
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Which Hearts transfers have stood out?
Claudio Braga, striker
The Portuguese was signed from Aalesund for less than £500k after scoring 14 in 41 games for the Norwegian side. He’s bagged 10 league goals this season, including two against reigning champs Celtic.
Alexandros Kyziridis, winger
A free transfer from Zemplin Michalovce in Slovakia, Kyziridis has blossomed into one of the best players in the league. The Greek left-sided attacker has four goals and six assists to his name.
Alexander Schwolow, goalkeeper
Another free transfer, the 33-year-old has 10 clean sheets this season and has been a pivotal part of one of the best defences in the league. Pulled off an incredible save late on to ensure victory over Celtic in December.
Oisin McEntee, defender
Not as exotic as some of the other signing, sure, but McEntee– brought in on a free from Walsall in League One – has been a rock at right back for Derek McInnes.
Both Old Firm sides have been below par this year. Celtic made Nottingham Forest look like a stable club for a while by sacking Brendan Rogers, bringing in Martin O’Neill temporarily, hiring Wilfried Nancy to replace him, sacking him after 33 days and going back to Martin O’Neill again.
Rangers had an awful start under former Southampton manager and risky football ideologist Russell Martin before recovering with new man Danny Rohl.
Both are still in a position to win the league, and both will be confident that the pressure will get to Hearts at some point – they travel to Ibrox on Sunday for a game which feels like a pivotal moment in the title race.
Celtic pipped Hearts to the title by goal difference on a dramatic final day in 1986. The Edinburgh side will be hoping things aren’t quite that close this time around. Win on Sunday and they can really start dreaming.
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