The rapid Hearts transfer factor that sets club apart from Celtic as Jambos told they're title race favourite
A Hearts legend has been talking over the Jambos ahead of their clash with Celtic.
Paul Hartley reckons Hearts hold a transfer edge over Celtic as the pair prepare to meet this weekend.
The Jambos favourite and another of his ex side’s come to blows this weekend in a key Premiership title race clash. Hearts are six points clear at the top of the league and victory against the current champions would put them three games ahead with a greater goal difference.
Right-back Jordi Altena and winger Islam Chesnokov have signed for Derek McInnes’ team this January transfer window while wingers Josh McPake and Rogers Mato have signed pre-contracts Rangers have made three signings but Celtic have made a sole signing, right-back Julian Araujo on loan from Bournemouth, amid several areas of Martin O’Neill’s squad needing reinforcement. Hartley believes the speed of recruitment at Hearts and Rangers has given them the edge against Celtic.
Hearts, Celtic and Rangers transfer business assessed
He said: “It’s getting pretty close to the window shutting. Hearts and Rangers have acted pretty quickly in terms of getting their business done. I think it’s just been the case with Celtic that they’ve always been very, very slow. You saw the last window they brought the guy in - Iheanacho- the day later or the last kick.
“It tells you where they’re at. It’s astounding with the size of the club and what they’ve done over the last number of years that they are still searching for players. And I think getting an attacker in at this stage is going to be very difficult - who are they going to get?”
Hartley admits it’s drawing make or break time for Celtic in the title race, as Hearts are talked up ahead of battle in Gorgie. The former midfielder added: “I think the other two are much stronger. I think Hearts are looking strong. You can see their home form, they’ve not been beaten in the league this season. The two defeats they’ve had, they’ve bounced back pretty quickly.
Who will win Premiership title race?
“For me, at this moment Hearts are in the driving seat. I think we were eight behind with seven games left but it feels different now at Celtic. I just think the atmosphere’s different at this moment in time. On the flip side, at Hearts the atmosphere is excellent. It reminds me of the start to the 2005-06 season with George Burley. But obviously things happened between that.
“I think Hearts are favourites for the title at this moment in time because of where they’re at, what they’ve done so far this season. Undefeated at Tynecastle in the league, got a good manager. He’ll be the key. Very experienced and has got the club together. Their recruitment has been spot on, how they’ve recruited players for very little money. Teams are spending millions and not getting true value for them. Hearts, though, are only spending hundreds of thousands and getting a tune out of them.
“He’s playing a bit low key at times. But I think he’s got the Hearts fans excited. He’s got everybody together. Hearts could probably sell another 20,000 tickets for Sunday’s game. The key thing also, there will only be 650 Celtic fans. So, it’s going to be about Hearts on Sunday, the atmosphere.” The one thing I would say is that Celtic have got the experience of the manager, Martin. But, they’re not playing well. So that’s the big thing…recruitment…they need to get players in before the end of the window. There’s no doubt about it. And I’m not just meaning one striker or two, I still think they’re short in other certain areas. Hearts on the other hand are a difficult kettle of fish.”
Charlie Adam, Paul Hartley and Barrie McKay were appearing on The Warm-Up, the William Hill SPFL’s weekly preview show. Check out the full episode here.