Celtic fans were probably expecting a much sterner challenge for the title this season after Rangers got new investors over the summer.
The 49ers’ investment in Rangers will give the Ibrox club more financial resources to challenge Celtic but the Parkhead club have more than enough to match that, if the board wish to do so.
However, with Celtic joint-top of the Scottish Premiership table with Hibs after just one game played, Hearts investor and Brighton owner, Tony Bloom, threw down the gauntlet last night.
Just before Hearts beat Aberdeen, Bloom talked about the new season ahead and his comments about Celtic left the Sky Sports pitch-side reporter stunned.
Tony Bloom believes Hearts can ‘push’ Celtic this season
Speaking just before Hearts beat Aberdeen live on Sky Sports, Bloom was asked about his vision for the Edinburgh club.
Bloom told Sky Sports, “I’ve been thinking about investing in a Scottish club for a little while, and when I met Anne Budge, she sold it really well to me.
“I started doing a bit of homework on the history and the fan base and passion, and being in Edinburgh is also a big pull as well.
“And I really think that Hearts are going to start doing something special in the SPFL.
“And I’m really pleased with how the pre-season started and how the recruitment has gone and it’s an exciting time to be a Hearts fan.
“I think, hopefully we’ll have a big improvement on the league position from last season. And I think we can generally have a real chance of going for the title, really pushing Celtic this season. I think that would be a big success, even if we don’t quite make it this season.”
Sky Sports reporter: [After a pause], “That’s very bullish talk. The last time a team outside of Celtic or Rangers won the Scottish title was 1985 what gives you the confidence that Hearts can do that?”
Bloom: “Yeah, I think it may take some years to actually win the SPFL, but I think we want to be challengers.
“We’ve got to believe in ourselves, that Hearts can actually really make a difference, put in really good performances, and if we can finish in the top two, I think that’ll be really good season for us.”
The last time Hearts tried to challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership
Celtic fans will remember the last time Hearts looked like they could challenge for the Scottish Premiership title.
Back in 2005, George Burley took on Celtic and went top of the league after winning eight out of their first 10 fixtures.
However, the Tynecastle club imploded under Vladimir Romanov and Burley quit Hearts the day after the Romanian millionaire announced plans to take full control of the Edinburgh club.
Hearts did finish second that season, a point ahead of Rangers in third, but 17 points behind champions Celtic.
Celtic have vastly superior resources now than at that time in the club’s history and if Bloom is really serious about Hearts, he will need to invest significantly more than the £10m pledged during the summer.
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