Mick McCarthy sees Jamestown path to Hearts title glory as Tony Bloom backing can pay 'monumental' dividends
Hearts are leading the title race right now ahead of Rangers and Celtic.
Mick McCarthy reckons Hearts riding a Jamestown-inspired train to title success this season would prove ‘monumental.’
The former Sunderland and Wolves manager who played for Celtic in his playing days has been keeping a close eye on the Premiership glory race. He has been heavily impressed by the work done by Tynecastle boss Derek McInnes, who has his side four points clear at the top of the league prior to facing ex-side Aberdeen in Gorgie this Saturday.
A win there would take their lead over second-placed Rangers to seven, and with the Old Firm derby occurring this Sunday, either Danny Rohl’s side, Celtic in third or both will spill further points this weekend. Brighton chairman Tony Bloom invested in Hearts last summer and brought with him his Jamestown Analytics recruitment software that has helped morph the Seagulls into a stable Premier League team. Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis are some of the highlights who have helped the Jambos rise to the top heading into March.
Can Hearts win the Premiership title?
The experienced manager knows nerves could play a factor in the hunt for a first top flight title won by any side outside Glasgow since Aberdeen in 1985, but savvy recruitment and management could see them over the line. McCarthy told The Managers: “Hearts have been so steady throughout the season.
“You know, do you expect the nerves to come in now as they're so close to making history? Of course, because for them to beat Celtic and Rangers to a title, it would be just immense. Incredible.
“Of course, he had had Brighton (Tony Bloom). They've got their same recruitment process, apparently, of the firm they use and it looks like they've done well, as have Brighton. Hearts have had a really great season so far, and if they win it, I mean to beat Celtic and Rangers would be monumental for them.”
Will Rangers or Celtic catch Hearts?
Former Hearts striker Lee Miller has also backed Hearts this week, stating Rangers and Celtic won’t find the consistency to catch them. He said: "I just think they will be strong enough and I don't think Rangers and Celtic will string a run of wins together to get close enough to them.
“Derek McInnes is very, very good manager in terms of people skills and getting them all on board. You can see the players want to play and fight for him. For example, they win 1-0 at home to Falkirk with a wee toe poke finish and keep solid at the back. They have that resilience and strength.
"They've also got players to come back from injury so they'll hopefully have them before the end of the season. It's hard because as a manager you need to pick a team that can exploit the team you're going to play against. You can't just keep picking the same team. Derek has got a good squad there and he's got a good team round about him to help him do that. "