If anyone knows how to debunk the old adage that the bookmakers never lose, it’s Tony Bloom. As a professional gambler, Bloom earned both his reputation and fortune by regularly outmanoeuvring the odds-layers.
Yet despite the remarkable impact the Brighton and Hove Albion owner has already made at Hearts since taking a 29-per-cent stake in the club last summer, the bookies still don’t fancy his chances of toppling the Old Firm at the first attempt.
Derek McInnes’ side may go into this afternoon’s pivotal clash with Celtic at Tynecastle with a six-point lead over the defending champions but they are still regarded as underdogs in the betting markets to win the match.
Likewise, Hearts are still priced as second favourites behind Martin O’Neill’s men to win what has become a truly compelling three-way title race with Rangers re-entering the equation under Danny Rohl.
The two major body blows recently suffered by the Gorgie men in the shape of lengthy injury lay-offs for key midfielder Cammy Devlin and top scorer Lawrence Shankland will clearly have been factored in by the bookies.
There’s no doubt the depth and strength of McInnes’ squad, assembled with the significant influence of Bloom’s renowned Jamestown Analytics recruitment tool, is facing its biggest test yet.
So, just how are Hearts shaping up in every department of the pitch as they begin a 16-game run-in to the end of the season which has their supporters dreaming of a first time triumph since 1960?
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In safe hands
If there is one position where McInnes has absolutely zero cause for concern, it’s between the sticks.
Since his arrival from Union Berlin in August, Alexander Schwolow has been hugely impressive and soon established himself as McInnes’ first choice keeper after Zander Clark had initially been handed the gloves at the start of the campaign.
Schowlow’s red card against Dundee at Dens Park two weeks ago saw Craig Gordon dramatically pitched back into action and the 43-year-old Scotland star rose to the occasion with a mind-boggling, match-winning stoppage time save from Emile Acquah’s header.
McInnes now has a choice to make with Schwolow free from his league suspension. But whoever he picks to face Celtic, he knows he has a safe pair of hands on his side.
As strong as the auld Castle Rock
Along with Rangers and Motherwell, Hearts boast the best defensive record in the Premiership so far with just 17 goals conceded in the first 22 rounds of fixtures.
The 11 clean sheets they have kept have been largely built on the centre-half partnership of Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay, both among the first names on McInnes’ team sheet every week when they are fit.
In Frankie Kent and Jamie McCart, the latter having also filled in well at left-back recently, they have solid and reliable back-up for the central defensive positions.
While McInnes occasionally switches to three at the back, a traditional back four is his preferred option.
At right-back, recent Dutch signing Jordi Altena looks like another fine acquisition by the Jamestown boffins but may have to be patient before nailing down the position on a regular basis. Michael Steinwender may get the nod against Celtic and has performed well in the role in recent weeks.
With Stephen Kingsley missing for the next six weeks due to injury, Hearts are more stretched at left-back but Harry Milne has been excellent there since joining the club.
How do you replace the Wizard of Aus?
It says everything for the exceptionally influential and consistent form of Cammy Devlin this season that the Australian midfielder is regarded as a bigger loss to Hearts than their captain Lawrence Shankland.
Devlin has always been renowned for his relentless workrate and ferocious tackling but he has added fresh layers of maturity and authority to his game.
The 27-year-old’s range of passing and clever link-up play established him as a leading contender for Scotland’s Player of the Year honours.
Losing Devlin, who has been one of the stars of the season, is a blow for Hearts
Replacing him at the heart of midfield is a major issue for McInnes, compounded this afternoon by also being without the suspended Beni Baningime in that department.
The club moved sharply to bring in cover this week, securing the loan signing of Marc Leonard from Birmingham City after having a bid for Forest Green Rovers captain Laurent Mendy turned down.
Leonard seems unlikely to be thrown straight into the fray against Celtic, however, with Tomas Magnusson and Oisin McEntee primed to fill those central midfield roles provided both can shake off niggling injury concerns of their own.
Blair Spittal also has the experience and ability necessary, although the former Motherwell man is more effective in a wider position.
With club record signing Eduardo Ageu also finally back in training after his injury woes, Hearts may well have the resources to cope with Devlin’s lay-off over the next few weeks.
Striking options
Whether playing a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, Hearts have carried real menace up front throughout the season.
Top scorers in the Premiership with 42 goals so far, three more than Celtic, 11 of those have come from the league’s leading marksman Shankland.
The impact of losing the Scotland striker to a hamstring issue for the next six weeks or so can’t be downplayed but Hearts are no one-man band up front.
Losing Shankland to injury could be a big loss but Hearts have the firepower to cope
Portuguese forward Claudio Braga is perhaps the poster boy for the success of Jamestown Analytics, the previously unheralded 26-year-old having hit the ground running following his signing from Norwegian club Aalesunds last summer.
Braga’s pace, directness and finishing power have made him an instant hero with the Hearts fans. While Braga has been effective playing wide, he is more than capable of stepping into the central striking role vacated by Shankland.
Pierre Landry Kabore, the Burkina Faso international, is another option for that position. The 24-year-old striker has had to be patient due to the form of Shankland and Braga, but this could be his opportunity to shine.
Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis has been another major success on the recruitment front for Hearts and tops the assists charts in the Premiership.
With Elton Kabangu and James Wilson also waiting in the wings, Hearts have no shortage of options in the forward areas.
McInnes is confident, though, that his side can handle the extra pressure of the run-in
Ready for the run-in
McInnes has done his best to shrug off the injuries to Devlin and Shankland this week.
‘Losing key players is part and parcel of football,’ he said. ‘I don’t want anybody of a Hearts persuasion to lose any sort of hope or optimism.’
He is appreciative of the backing he receives from a club ownership who are fully committed to both their immediate ambitions and their longer term plan to establish Hearts as consistent disruptors of the Old Firm’s dominance of Scottish football in the coming years.
‘The ability to react to a situation is always reassuring for a manager,’ added McInnes. ‘A lot of the time it’s “the budget’s the budget” and sometimes the answer’s “no” — the majority of the time in my career the answer’s been “no” when I’ve went and asked the questions. But this time there’s people here that are keen to try and support because we’re in a brilliant position as a club.’
But this time there’s people here that are keen to try and support because we’re in a brilliant position as a club.’
No one at Hearts will be losing sight of that reality, regardless of whether they win, lose or draw today. As Tony Bloom might say, you can bet on that.
