Boss reveals ambition to split Old Firm

HEARTS manager Paulo Sergio has confirmed that his team have ambitions to split the Old Firm this season.

After a shaky start to the season, Hearts have hauled themselves to within a point of Celtic, while they are also closer points-wise to tomorrow’s opponents Rangers than at this time last year when Jim Jefferies’ team briefly threatened to break the SPL’s duopoly.

Inspired by second-placed Motherwell’s impressive start to the campaign, Sergio is now sensing his steadily improving team can be a match for Celtic and Rangers over the course of the campaign.

Asked if Hearts can split the Old Firm, the manager said: “Why not? Motherwell are proving just now that it’s possible.

“If we improve our performances and results after the first quarter, after that it depends on us and then what the other teams do whether we can challenge. There’s space to improve and get better results but it’s important to keep winning at home. But, yes, we have ambitions for that [to be in the top two].”