Tony Bloom showered with Hearts transfer praise as next Celtic manager update leaves ex-Hibs boss in limbo
Here are some of the latest headlines when it comes to Hearts and Hibs.
The international break has provided time for stock taking ahead of a busy winter schedule at Hearts and Hibs.
Derek McInnes’ Jambos are top of the league by seven points and take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie in their next Premiership encounter. Strong summer recruitment, aided by investor Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics, has helped Hearts put themselves in the frame for title debate alongside Rangers and Celtic.
David Gray at Hibs meanwhile has also had a solid start and they occupy the third spot they finished in last season, with their next game coming against Dundee at Easter Road. With focus on Scotland’s crucial World Cup qualifiers with Greece and Denmark, here are some of the latest headlines when it comes to Hearts and Hibs.
Tony Bloom Hearts transfer praise
Kenny Miller is tuning back into Scottish football, after the former Hibs, Rangers and Celtic striker’s return from a coaching stint in America at Atlanta United. He has been impressed from afar by Jamestown Analytics and it’s ability to dig out gems like Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis, with a three-horse title race peaking his interest.
Miller told Clyde SSB: “I have been keeping my finger on the pulse, seeing how Hearts have been developing. Obviously Derek McInnes coming in at the start of the season had a good impact. I'm really intrigued to see how this goes with Hearts and with the Tony Bloom factor.
“The way they identify players and he just seems to have had success everywhere he's been. However he does it, he gets players for the level who come in and perform pretty much straight away, and we've potentially got a three-horse race. Well at the moment, maybe only a two-horse, but you maybe got a three-horse race for the title.”
Next Celtic manager update on ex Hibs boss
Former Hibs head coach Shaun Maloney has been in the Celtic dugout on an interim basis to assist Martin O’Neill, following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation as Parkhead boss. The ex-Scotland midfielder is player-pathway manager at Celtic and the champions are closing in on the appointment of Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy as their next first team leader.
He is set for a backroom appointment of his own and that will put Maloney, plus coach Stevie Woods, in a state of flux over what comes next for them at Celtic. The Daily Record state: “Celtic are in advanced talks to land Wilfried Nancy as new boss. Record Sport can reveal the Columbus Crew head coach is Parkhead powerbroker Dermot Desmond’s No.1 target – and discussions with club chiefs are planned for this weekend with a view to nailing down a deal.
“The Hoops have remained in touch with several candidates but Nancy has been top of the wishlist from day one, with the Irish tycoon Desmond originally reaching out to Nancy last month in the wake of Brendan Rodgers’ shock departure. The former Montreal boss has been sold on the switch and it’s understood is also keen to bring his own backroom team, with no.2 Kwame Ampadu part of the deal, while the contract today could decide whether current coaches such as Shaun Maloney and Stevie Woods will remain part of the new regime.”