Former Hearts ace sees two Jambos bonuses arriving down title race stretch that goes beyond wildest fan dreams
Hearts are being talked up as their title bid continues to build momentum.
Andy Halliday says two returning Hearts stars will clinch major bonuses for Derek McInnes’ team in the Premiership title race - as he reckons the season could end in dream fashion for his ex-side.
The former Jambos midfielder currently at Motherwell was on Sky Sports punditry duty as Rangers dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Livingston. Mixed in with league leaders Hearts defeating Falkirk 1-0 and Celtic’s 2-1 loss against Hibs, the Tynecastle side are four points clear in first place, ahead of their meeting with Aberdeen and Old Firm weekend.
Featuring for the club between 2020-2024, Halliday knows how important Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin are for boss McInnes, having featured with both. They have missed recent games with injury but are edging closer to comebacks, something that their ex-teammates feels will prove two key boosts for Hearts. Much was made of how those in maroon could perform this season but the Motherwell man reckons all expectations have been exceeded.
Andy Halliday on Hearts in Premiership title race
Halliday said: “21 weeks they've been top of the table. How anyone can discount them as title challengers is incredible. Yes, they go to Ibrox and they lose what was obviously a massive game, but they were well in the game for large spells. They looked dangerous throughout and they've got a wee bonus of Cammy Devlin returning soon.
“Then Lawrence Shankland returning soon after that. For me, Lawrence Shankland Shankland is undoubtedly the best striker in the league, I don't think there can even be any debate about it. So if you manage to stay where you are, with those two returning back to the side.
“I've been at the club obviously but I couldn't even give you an answer (what it’d mean to Hearts winning the league), because it seemed that impossible at the start of the season. What is it, 1985, the last time someone outside of Celtic or Rangers won the top flight. We all knew there was going to be real excitement with Tony Bloom coming into the club and giving his investment, and obviously the players that have come into the club, Derek McInnes.
How have Hearts coped with title race pressure?
“Even the most ambitious Hearts fan couldn't envisage what's happened this year. Listen, even from a neutral standpoint, we say it so many times, it's just been the most incredible season. It can only get better from now on.”
Scotland hero James McFadden was also on the panel and said: “When Hearts lose a game, everybody says, it’s a question of mentality. They've been top of the league for this amount of time, that takes strong mental players, strong mentality to deal with the pressure of Hearts. The way that Scottish football has been since we can all remember is, Hearts should be nowhere near the top of the table but they are.
“They're dealing with that. They're missing Lawrence Shankland and, for me, I think you can tell the difference when they don't have him. They're dealing with that, and they're dealing with the expectation, they can get their job done. It's not to say they can take their eye off the ball. They can get the job done at the weekend, enjoy watching the game knowing that regardless of the outcome, it's a positive for Hearts as long as they win their game.”