There has been a lot of noise coming out of Hearts this summer, in their quest to challenge Celtic.
But so far, Derek McInnes’ Hearts are sitting top of the Premiership table, and Celtic will need to react against Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon.
This comes after Hearts beat Rangers 2-0 at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon, to make it four wins from five for the Jambos, who have had new investment over the summer.
New investor Tony Bloom wants to challenge Celtic, as Kris Boyd spoke about the difference in what is happening on and off the pitch for the champions of Scotland, which probably won’t allow it to happen.
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Can Hearts and Derek McInnes challenge Celtic?
Celtic fans will protest against the board against Killie, but those are issues off the field of play, as Boyd pointed out on Sky Sports, that, on the pitch, the job is being done.
When asked whether Hearts can ‘push Celtic’, Boyd thinks it’s ‘very difficult’, at this moment in time, even though McInnes’ side are looking strong going forward, and at the back.
Paul Merson: “You talk about Rangers, and all that. But how good are Hearts? Have they got a chance this season? Could they finish above Rangers in second or even push Celtic?”
Boyd: “I think they are nine points ahead of Rangers now. Started the season really well. There’s a lot of optimism about with Tony Bloom taking over, and I know a lot of people scoffed at Tony Bloom when he turned around and said that, you know, he fancies our chances inside a few years.
“It would be hard to bet against them right now. Obviously, Celtic have got their own issues, but they’ve started the season, on the pitch, reasonably well.
“Celtic have played four games, unbeaten, three victories, and they play Kilmarnock. You’d expect them to go there and get a victory as well.
“A lot of Celtic’s problems have been off-field, but on the field, they’ve actually been okay domestically so far.
“So, for Hearts, there is no doubt that in time, Tony Bloom, Derek McInnes will feel as if they can challenge. It’s very difficult to see at this moment in time.
“But, right now, they’re sitting top of the league and they look as if they’re a well-organised team defensively, and going forward, they look as if they are a unit that can score anytime they go forward.
Kris Boyd rants as Rangers and Russell Martin lose again
Rangers are the gift that keeps on giving. Talk about new investment. Those inside Ibrox spent a shedload this summer, and there was a lot of hype after the 49ers came in.
But Rangers are hovering above the relegation zone after five matches, with new manager Russell Martin yet to win a league match.
Boyd ranted at Martin and Rangers’ performance, including how the home supporters ‘joined in’ when Hearts away support started singing, ‘you are getting sacked in the morning.’
“Terrible, right from the start,” stated Boyd. One team looked organised defensively and in sync going forward, and that was Hearts.
“Rangers, at home, failed to lay a glove on Hearts. Topped off with the Hearts fans singing, “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” And Rangers fans joined in with it. That’s how bad it was.
“I don’t see any way back from this for Russell Martin. You can cut new managers some slack if you can see slight improvement game to game, but it’s actually going the other way. It’s getting worse for Rangers. No wins in five, sitting 10th in the league. It’s pretty embarrassing, to say the least.”
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