Three Reasons We Love the Hearts' Chances to Contend in 2025-26
We believe the Hearts of Midlothian are capable of pushing the two top clubs and could end up taking one of the Scottish Premiership's top two spots on the table this season. We'll share the three top reasons for our confidence below, giving you everything you need to prepare for a thrilling Hears season!
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash
Hearts Go All in With Derek McInnes
The biggest reason we believe the Hearts are set for a spectacular season is the appointment of new manager Derek McInnes. The Paisley-born boss enjoyed a fantastic playing career and has carried that success into managing.
The hiring of McInnes was a massive victory for the club. After taking chances on unproven managers for years, they have decided to bring in a proven winner in McInnes. Although his Kilmarnock club struggled last season, he led them to an impressive fourth-place finish in the 2023-24 season. With more resources and better support from the Hearts, we expect his winning ways to return quickly.
McInnes made a name for himself as a manager during his eight-year stint with Aberdeen. He led them to a Scottish League Cup title and reached the finals two other times. He also helped Aberdeen reach the finals of the Scottish Cup during the 2016-17 season.
In his time with Aberdeen, he led the club to a second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership in four consecutive seasons. They were unable to close the gap on Celtic, but managed to consistently beat out Rangers (and a good Hearts squad) for the second spot.
Sportsbook Odds Show Confidence
There is no shortage of Scottish Premiership analysts and experts, but they often have conflicting views. This is why we like to check sportsbook odds to get a sense of how operators believe the season will unfold. With large sums of money on the line, bookmakers are more incentivized to set odds based on in-depth research.
Most popular sportsbooks have Celtic as the favorites, followed by Rangers. Hearts can be found in a distant third, but light years ahead of the rest of the field, including the Hibs. This shows that bookmakers like what they've seen from Hearts, who finished outside of the top six last season. While their odds remain behind the two leaders, a hot start from the Tynecastle Club could quickly change that.
Sportsbooks taking an interest in Hearts is good news for fans who want to bet on their matches. They can expect to see Hearts-related betting offers, allowing them to back their squad while receiving better odds, bet credits, and more.
Tony Bloom's Financial Backing
While we are hopeful about the Hearts future over the next few seasons, that optimism took a hit when Heart of Midlothian's chairperson Ann Budge announced she will be stepping down. The 77-year-old has been a godsend for the club, helping to bring in the financial backing needed to compete in Scotland's top football league.
Budge leaving will likely hurt over the years, but she provided the club with one final gift before she leaves. That came in the form of a €10 million investment from Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom. He is receiving a 29% ownership stake, but will not receive voting rights, leaving the Foundation of Hearts in control.
Bloom's investment was met with celebration from fans and club leadership. It represents another step forward for a club that was almost brought to the brink of collapse by former owner Vladimir Romanov.
Time will tell how the club will replace Budge, but Bloom's investment gives them a head start. It sends a message to the league and international players that the club is determined to compete and has the financial backing to do so. That, combined with Bloom's connections to English football, could lead to talented stars taking a second look at Hearts.
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
11 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Celtic and Rangers TV picks plus Hibs and Hearts dates
All eight matches to be broadcast on TV or live stream Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Celtic have been handed a Friday night fixture in the Premier Sports Cup last 16 following confirmation of the TV picks, dates and kick-off times. The Scottish League Cup holders will kick-off their trophy defence against John McGlynn's Falkirk at Celtic Park on Friday, August 15, live on Premier Sports 1, kick-off 7.45pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The switch to Friday night will give Brendan Rodgers' side extra time to prepare for their Champions League play-off first leg against yet to be confirmed opponents the following midweek. The Premier Sports Cup last 16 fixtures have been set. | SNS Group The fixture will start a feast of live Premier Sports Cup action that weekend with all eight matches being either streamed or broadcast live on Premier Sports - the tournament sponsors. Rangers' home tie against Alloa Athletic has also been selected for live TV coverage on Premier Sports 1 and has been assigned a 5.45pm kick-off slot on Saturday, August 16. The draw for the quarter-finals will be made at Ibrox live on Premier Sports following the conclusion of that match. Four games will also be streamed live on the Premier Sports website and app at 3pm on the Saturday – namely Morton v Aberdeen, Partick Thistle v Ayr, St Johnstone v Motherwell and St Mirren v Hearts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kilmarnock v Dundee United and Livingston v Hibs are scheduled for Sunday, August 17 as both United and Hibs will be involved in UEFA qualifying round three second leg matches on Thursday, August 14. Both ties will kick off at 3pm and will be streamed live by Premier Sports. The full fixture details for the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup are: Friday, August 15 Celtic v Falkirk, 7.45pm, Premier Sports 1 Saturday, August 16 Greenock Morton v Aberdeen, 3pm, Premier Sports Player Partick Thistle v Ayr United, 3pm, Premier Sports Player St Johnstone v Motherwell 3pm, Premier Sports Player St Mirren v Hearts, 3pm, Premier Sports Player Rangers v Alloa Athletic, 5.45pm, Premier Sports 1 Sunday, August 17 Kilmarnock v Dundee United, 3pm, Premier Sports Player
Daily Record
11 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Celtic fanatics are cracking up in a world of conspiracy and mega rage as Hotline diehard goes nuclear
Graeme Young answers your calls as the big kick-off has punters het up with the Glasgow divide splitting opinion once more If Celtic are basking in the glow of a 14th title in 15 years then nobody told a section of their fanbase. Punters should be jubilant but a burning rage over transfers, or a lack thereof, has seeped into the minds of those who adore the dominant force in Scottish football. And recriminations are festering with Rangers adding Tottenham prodigy Mikey Moore to their ranks amid a feeling Celtic aren't backing Brendan Rodgers as he enters the final 12 months of his Parkhead contract. And one regular is at breaking point and he reckons the club's hierarchy is to blame. Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, said: "What's the story with this Celtic board? A massive step forward on the European stage last season with a platform to build on. "Now, the first XI, weaker than that tired listless losing Cup Final team, is 3 days away from the season opener & we are putting in multiple offers for players whilst acting like a bluffing poker player. The recent past has taught us that clubs can hold us to ransom for players bought at the 11th hour & we end up paying over the odds just to get a player signed.. The biggest example of this failed kind of brinkmanship is John McGinn, a Celtic fanatic lost to us by the low balling board. What is the end game for this board? Does their ambition not go beyond the balance sheet.. It doesn't look like it, as they constantly sit on their hands." Jim McClean, Rothesay, said: "I'm fed up reading about Celtic going for about fourteen signings , no wonder the supporters are cracking up, why the hell can they not just go and sign the four players they need it is getting bloody boring reading who they are going to sign, open the biscuit tin and just do it and give the rest of us peace." A Hotline regular has received a new joke and the champions are the punchline. Alfie Mullin, London, said: "As I was strolling in the park today, the geese reminded me of Celtic 's record in Europe. Aye that's right, the geese. They were honking." "But the roles were reversed in relation to a dig aimed in the direction of Glasgow's east end after Rangers outlasted Panthinaikos after two nerve-shredding legs." James Logan, Glasgow, said: "Alan Flett boasts that Rangers have shown Celtic how to win a two-legged tie in Europe. Can I point out to him that their tie was in a qualifying round and that Celtic have won 30 such two-legged ties over the past 15 years alone.I used the 15 year period to remind Alan that it was that long ago that Rangers last won a game in the Champions League." Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: "So some Rangers fans think they're going to go all the way in the champions league, maybe on a PlayStation. Battered both legs by a very poor Greek side and the only reason they're still in it is pure luck yet again which they seem to get in spades in Europe ! Part of me would love to see them in the group stage so they can set a new record once again." But not everyone is downbeat over the Russell Martin era and the signing of Djeidi Gassama has proved an instant success thanks to his timely strikes against Panathiniakos. Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: "The return of the Jedi as Rangers step up the gas and keep their cool in the battle for the qualifying round in their champions league game against Panathinaikos and leave Athens with a draw and a guarantee of European football after Xmas. "If they fail against Viktoria Plzen in there next games but if they keep up there Greece lighting performances and if jedi keeps his foot on the gas. The champions league is a formality." UEFA's decision makers are also getting it on the neck over the format of their flagship competitions. Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: "UEFA have really created a very strange scenario. Rangers have a tricky tie to overcome before joining Celtic in a play off where both will be seeded. The strange scenario could be that Scotland's Champions end up in the Europa League and the second placed team in the Champions League whilst other larger nations have four or five teams in the Champions League. "I'm a Rangers fan but the scenario needs to be seriously addressed by UEFA. The Champions League is not the Champions League anymore it's the Champions and also rans league at the expense of the smaller nations which detracts from a champions only Champions League. "For some reason UEFA prefers to treat smaller nations differently for the sake of profit. I think the smaller nations should show UEFA the red card, after all there are more smaller nations." Neil Renton, Leith, said: "Before folk start going daft about the Hibs loss to Midtjylland let's take a moment to reflect. This is a side who this time last year lost to Kelty Hearts and have now gone toe to toe with a Champions League outfit. There's a lot of positives to take from the two legs into the coming season. Bring it on."
Daily Record
11 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Malik Dijksteel completes early move to St Mirren after pre-contract agreement
The former Cork City winger arrived in Paisley yesterday after he put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Saints. St Mirren have announced the arrival of Malik Dijksteel from Cork City after the club struck a deal to get the winger in early. Last week, the club announced they had signed the 24-year-old on a pre-contract from League of Ireland Premier Division side Cork City. But now, the Saints have reached a deal with City to bring the Dutch player to Paisley on a three-year deal. Manager Robinson believes Dijksteel will be able to offer him attributes similar to those of Ryan Alebiosu last season when he occupied the right flank. 'He's another real live option for the [right hand side],' he said at the club's Ralston training ground yesterday. 'And the thing with Malik is he's been playing games as well due to the earlier start to the season in Ireland. 'We knew last year that in certain games, we've gained a lot of respect from the opposition where teams sit in and it's hard to break them down. 'And we didn't have those wingers that went past people, those 1v1 situations, outwith Ryan Alebiosu [last season]. 'So, we brought him [Dijksteel] in and Jalmaro Calvin, while having Roland Idowu and Conor McMenamin already in the building. 'And I believe Malik's another one of those boys that can then cause havoc. 'He can be really exciting. He needs to get up to our work ethic without the ball as well. But he certainly is a really exciting signing and one I think fans will really take to.' Robinson now has an array of options in his wide areas after they brought in Calvin and Jayden Richardson. The Saints gaffer hopes his squad will play at their top level when they pitch up at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon to kick off their Scottish Premiership season. It will be a rematch of the final game of the 2024/25 campaign, where the Buddies looked almost certain to bag all three points but for a late James Forrest equaliser. Robbo says he will take lessons from the end of last season as the Buddies prepare to for a challenging run of fixtures. 'We will approach it with no fear,' he said. 'We go with the same ethos, the same organisation, the same work rate. 'We've added players at the top end of the pitch. But those players at the top end of the pitch still have to come into our work ethic. 'So as much as they go and give you confidence, it's a completely new season, completely different teams you're playing against in terms of assignments. 'And everything starts again. But nothing changes in terms of our work ethic and our organisation.'
