Jamestown backed as major Hearts difference maker that could help create nail-biting Premiership title race
Hearts have shown bright sparks under Wouter Vrancken so far.
Hearts have been told that Jamestown Analytics and a positive response to last season’s disappointment have them on track to challenge at the top of the league this term.
The Jambos lost out on the Premiership title during a final day defeat to eventual champions Celtic in May before manager Derek McInnes’ Rangers move lead a catalogue of key exits. Wouter Vrancken has replaced him as head coach and investor Tony Bloom’s Jamestown recruitment software aided replenishing of the squad, following Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and others departing.
Third is where they sit over the international break, while Conference League football is booked, alongside a Premier Sports Cup semi-final match with managerless Edinburgh rivals Hibs in November. Rangers have hit form under McInnes to go within two points of leaders Celtic, where manager Martin O’Neill is under pressure, amid long-term direction concerns at Parkhead. Former Rangers and Monaco striker Mark Hateley feels Hearts are well placed to pounce on frailties in Glasgow’s east-end and challenge at the top of the table again.
Can Hearts challenge for the league again
Hateley explained: “You've just got to concentrate on what you're doing. Hearts will concentrate on what they're doing. Rangers will concentrate on what they're doing. Celtic have got a lot of pressure coming on to them pretty quickly. European football as well.
“But it is just the way it is. Your biggest rival has finally found a way to be competitive, but can I say, your Hearts, I'm going to say Hibs as well, on the outside of that, Celtic, Rangers, they're all capable of beating each other, you know.
“So it's watch this space. It is watching which team will build, and build, and build, and will be able to build. Not so sure on the Hibs side of it, again, as it seems to be a little bit chaotic over that side of the city. For Hearts, they have probably reacted well, given everything that happened through the summer.
“They've settled pretty quickly, and with their alliance down in England, they're always going to get decent players coming through. So I think it'll be a tight one this year. I do. And I think, as I say, the old foe just running away with it. I think that is on hold at the moment. I think, as I say, the other clubs I've just mentioned there are pretty capable, and when you're pretty capable, then you have a chance.”
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