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Jambos on the March: Hearts’ title dream is beginning to take shape

Jambos on the March: Hearts’ title dream is beginning to take shape

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Hearts’ 3-1 victory over Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday has sent the supporters into a state of euphoria that arguably hasn’t been seen since the beginning of the 2005/06 season.

By Ross Kilvington

Then, under the leadership of George Burley, the Jambos won their opening eight league matches, including a 1-0 triumph over Rangers, to lead the table.

Just a few weeks later, Burley was gone. Sacked by owner/autocrat/dictator Vladimir Romanov prior to a game against Dunfermline.

The Jambos have tasted success in the Scottish Cup since then, but another early season ascent to the top of the league table has never materialised.

That is until now. Derek McInnes has brought the feel good factor back to Tynecastle. Could the statement win over Celtic be the catalyst for a chance to break the Old Firm duopoly?

Hearts’ stunning win over Celtic cements title aspirations

At a packed Tynecastle, Hearts began like a steam train. Indeed, it took just eight minutes for them to open the scoring courtesy of an own goal by Celtic youngster Dane Murray.

The Parkhead side improved, equalising thanks to Callum McGregor. With the tie finely poised 1-1 at the interval, McInnes’ men began the second half how they started the first – ruthlessly.

Seven minutes in, summer signing Alexandros Kyziridis received the ball before cutting inside to unleash a wonderful effort from just outside the box to restore Hearts’ advantage.

A few minutes later, the home side won a penalty which was duly converted by Lawrence Shankland. In the end, it was a straightforward victory for the Tynecastle side, moving them eight points clear in the Premiership.

With news breaking on Monday evening that Brendan Rodgers has left Celtic, can this be the season that Hearts win their first title since 1960?

If so, the club’s excellent summer recruitment could turn out to be the deciding factor.

Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics have worked wonders

When Bloom paid £10m for a 29% worth of non-voting shares in the summer, there was certainly murmurs that Hearts where on the cusp of a new dawn.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win trophies this season, that season, next season but I genuinely believe that we will be a significant factor in Scottish football right here, right now and for the long term.” Said the 55-year-old a few months ago. This prediction appears to be coming true.

While investment was important, the club’s exclusive use of renowned data tool, Jamestown Analytics, has been vital for their early season success.

Given the nature of what Hearts are up against, it wouldn’t be a disservice to herald the use of Jamestown as their equivalent of a ‘Moneyball’ approach to identify undervalued talent.

Most Scottish clubs either recruit from within the country, or sign those who are on the scrapheap in England, offering them a chance to get their careers back on track.

Not Hearts. Of their ten summer arrivals, only one joined from a British club. Of the other nine, players were signed from the Norwegian second tier, the Italian third tier and the Slovakian top flight.

In total, Hearts spent just £2.6m during the summer window. scouring the far corners of Europe and beyond to unearth talent is something that Bloom has utilised on many occasions for Brighton and it now seems to be working wonders for Hearts.

Claudio Braga has arguably been the most impressive signing. A player joining from a Norwegian team who finished fourth in the second tier shouldn’t have had as big an impact, but the forward is currently jointly leading the Premiership scoring charts with five goals.

Furthermore, the Portuguese striker excels in other areas, ranking in the top 9% for successful dribbles (8) and in the top 6% for chances created (11) when compared to his peers in the top flight.

Not content with just being a scoring threat, Braga clearly has many facets to his game which has helped take Hearts to the top of the table.

Kyziridis is another who has demonstrated his class this season. His effort against Celtic was one of three league goals for Hearts. More importantly, however, is his ability to generate chances for his teammates.

Indeed, the Greek winger has already registered four assists across nine league matches. Elsewhere, he also ranks in the top 7% when compared to his positional peers in the top flight for chances created (16), successful crosses (13) and in the top 4% for successful dribbles (10) and for touches in the opposition penalty area (30).

These two have made a massive difference from an attacking point of view, but McInnes wasn’t just keen on improving this area of the pitch.

Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was signed from Union Berlin on a free transfer in the summer. Despite being 33, the German shot-stopper has been solid between the posts since making his debut against Rangers last month.

Not only have Hearts conceded the fewest goals in the Premiership this season (7), but Schwolow has recorded the highest save percentage in the league (92.9%) and has kept four clean sheets from his five matches.

As such, his FotMob rating of 7.85 is the second highest in the division, behind only teammate Cameron Devlin.

With regulars such as Shankland recovering his form this season and centre-back Craig Halkett turning into a rock at the heart of the defence, Hearts could be on the cusp of something special.

Matches against St Mirren (tonight), Dundee and Dundee United are next up for McInnes’ side. 

Win all three of those games and maybe, just maybe, the Jambos faithful can start truly believing that it might be their season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all SPFL games on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jambos on the March: Hearts’ title dream is beginning to take shape

Hearts’ 3-1 victory over Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday has sent the supporters into a state of euphoria that arguably hasn’t been seen since the beginning of the 2005/06 season.

By Ross Kilvington

Then, under the leadership of George Burley, the Jambos won their opening eight league matches, including a 1-0 triumph over Rangers, to lead the table.

Just a few weeks later, Burley was gone. Sacked by owner/autocrat/dictator Vladimir Romanov prior to a game against Dunfermline.

The Jambos have tasted success in the Scottish Cup since then, but another early season ascent to the top of the league table has never materialised.

That is until now. Derek McInnes has brought the feel good factor back to Tynecastle. Could the statement win over Celtic be the catalyst for a chance to break the Old Firm duopoly?

Hearts’ stunning win over Celtic cements title aspirations

At a packed Tynecastle, Hearts began like a steam train. Indeed, it took just eight minutes for them to open the scoring courtesy of an own goal by Celtic youngster Dane Murray.

The Parkhead side improved, equalising thanks to Callum McGregor. With the tie finely poised 1-1 at the interval, McInnes’ men began the second half how they started the first – ruthlessly.

Seven minutes in, summer signing Alexandros Kyziridis received the ball before cutting inside to unleash a wonderful effort from just outside the box to restore Hearts’ advantage.

A few minutes later, the home side won a penalty which was duly converted by Lawrence Shankland. In the end, it was a straightforward victory for the Tynecastle side, moving them eight points clear in the Premiership.

With news breaking on Monday evening that Brendan Rodgers has left Celtic, can this be the season that Hearts win their first title since 1960?

If so, the club’s excellent summer recruitment could turn out to be the deciding factor.

Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics have worked wonders

When Bloom paid £10m for a 29% worth of non-voting shares in the summer, there was certainly murmurs that Hearts where on the cusp of a new dawn.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win trophies this season, that season, next season but I genuinely believe that we will be a significant factor in Scottish football right here, right now and for the long term.” Said the 55-year-old a few months ago. This prediction appears to be coming true.

While investment was important, the club’s exclusive use of renowned data tool, Jamestown Analytics, has been vital for their early season success.

Given the nature of what Hearts are up against, it wouldn’t be a disservice to herald the use of Jamestown as their equivalent of a ‘Moneyball’ approach to identify undervalued talent.

Most Scottish clubs either recruit from within the country, or sign those who are on the scrapheap in England, offering them a chance to get their careers back on track.

Not Hearts. Of their ten summer arrivals, only one joined from a British club. Of the other nine, players were signed from the Norwegian second tier, the Italian third tier and the Slovakian top flight.

In total, Hearts spent just £2.6m during the summer window. scouring the far corners of Europe and beyond to unearth talent is something that Bloom has utilised on many occasions for Brighton and it now seems to be working wonders for Hearts.

Claudio Braga has arguably been the most impressive signing. A player joining from a Norwegian team who finished fourth in the second tier shouldn’t have had as big an impact, but the forward is currently jointly leading the Premiership scoring charts with five goals.

Furthermore, the Portuguese striker excels in other areas, ranking in the top 9% for successful dribbles (8) and in the top 6% for chances created (11) when compared to his peers in the top flight.

Not content with just being a scoring threat, Braga clearly has many facets to his game which has helped take Hearts to the top of the table.

Kyziridis is another who has demonstrated his class this season. His effort against Celtic was one of three league goals for Hearts. More importantly, however, is his ability to generate chances for his teammates.

Indeed, the Greek winger has already registered four assists across nine league matches. Elsewhere, he also ranks in the top 7% when compared to his positional peers in the top flight for chances created (16), successful crosses (13) and in the top 4% for successful dribbles (10) and for touches in the opposition penalty area (30).

These two have made a massive difference from an attacking point of view, but McInnes wasn’t just keen on improving this area of the pitch.

Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was signed from Union Berlin on a free transfer in the summer. Despite being 33, the German shot-stopper has been solid between the posts since making his debut against Rangers last month.

Not only have Hearts conceded the fewest goals in the Premiership this season (7), but Schwolow has recorded the highest save percentage in the league (92.9%) and has kept four clean sheets from his five matches.

As such, his FotMob rating of 7.85 is the second highest in the division, behind only teammate Cameron Devlin.

With regulars such as Shankland recovering his form this season and centre-back Craig Halkett turning into a rock at the heart of the defence, Hearts could be on the cusp of something special.

Matches against St Mirren (tonight), Dundee and Dundee United are next up for McInnes’ side. 

Win all three of those games and maybe, just maybe, the Jambos faithful can start truly believing that it might be their season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all SPFL games on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.