NOW THAT’S WHAT YOU CALL A TITLE RACE
With just five points separating the top six, Hartley believes top flight is the most competitive it has been in years
FOR Paul Hartley, the upper end of the Ladbrokes Premiership league table makes for an enjoyable walk down memory lane.
No fewer than four of the former midfielder’s old clubs — Celtic, Hearts, St Johnstone and Aberdeen — are jammed concertinalike into a wildly competitive top six. A fifth former club, Hibs, have faded after a flying start and currently lie in eighth.
But just two points separate the top four of Celtic, Hearts, Rangers and Kilmarnock, while there are only five points between Brendan Rodgers’ league leaders and Aberdeen in sixth.
For Hartley, in particular the flying start to the season made by Hearts under Craig Levein — who sit behind Celtic on goal difference — reminds him of season 2005-06 at Tynecastle.
Back then, the challenge for the title by Hartley, Stephen Pressley, Craig Gordon and Co fell short after the shock and sudden sacking of George Burley in October when the Gorgie side were still unbeaten and on top of the league.
Gordon Strachan’s Celtic eventually won the top-flight title that season, with Hearts finishing second and qualifying for the Champions League.
And Hartley believes the injuries sustained by Hearts to key players like John Souttar, Christophe Berra and Steven Naismith means the challenge of the Jambos this season will fall short once more.
While the likely victors this year may not be a surprise, the 42-year-old is sure that the ultracompetitive nature of the top of the table renders the top flight ever more appealing.
‘It is the best the league has been in a number of years,’ said Hartley. ‘If you look at the table, there is not much between the teams.
‘I went to watch St Johnstone lose 6-0 to Celtic but since then they have won their last five games, not conceded, and they are only three points off the top.
‘Kilmarnock have been brilliant too, and Rangers are only two points behind Celtic and Hearts. Aberdeen have picked up lately and you’ve got Hibs and Hearts in and around there, too.
‘Hearts have got a chance of challenging this season but what has happened to them in terms of losing key players is going to make it tough for them.
‘They have been so unlucky with injuries but I still think Hearts will be strong at Tynecastle.
‘In 2005, we had a good team under George Burley but the changes of managers and other things going on with the owner behind the scenes was just too much in the end.
‘We were right up there until the New Year’s Day game (against Celtic) but then Celtic just motored on away from us.
‘That’s not to say we would have won the league that year, but I think we would have had a good opportunity if we had kept the same manager.
‘I think Celtic will win the league again this season. But the title race will be closer than it has been in the last few years.
‘I just think the league is the best it has been in a long time.’
For Hartley, the downside to the most competitive top flight in years is the cut-throat nature of the business for its managers.
By mid-October, a third of the Premiership’s 12 bosses had been sacked, with St Mirren bulleting Alan Stubbs, Livingston axing Kenny Miller and Dundee parting company with Neil McCann.
Hartley, who was sacked by Falkirk in August after losing his first three games of the season in the Championship, believes the bloodthirsty situation in Scotland is fuelled by social media.
‘The game has changed with the stress and the pressure a manager is under now,’ said Hartley.
‘If they lose three games, then people are calling for their heads.
‘It’s as bad as it’s been. There was one weekend in October when four managers went over a single weekend. And I think it will only get worse. Boards have no patience now. They don’t give managers time.
‘And it’s worse in Scotland. I always thought in Scotland managers got a bit more time. But Alan Stubbs got three games at St Mirren. I got three games at Falkirk. And other managers are getting the same.
‘I think social media has a part to play in that. I know for a fact that boards read social media.
‘A lot of directors are fans and they will look on social media to see what people are saying about the manager. Then if results don’t go well they start getting stick and that is when they make changes.
‘The bottom line as a manager is if you get results, then fine. But if you don’t, you might not be in a job.
‘As managers, we have families and bills to pay but there simply is no longevity and financial security now.
‘A three-year contract doesn’t really mean a three-year contract. It means nothing.
‘I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe just don’t be a manager! Don’t go into the job! Stay out of it!’
Four years ago, Hartley turned down the chance to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager of Cardiff City. Subsequently sacked by Dundee then Falkirk and now out of work, he realises a coach must grasp these kind of big opportunities when they arise.
‘Managers don’t get a chance to learn from their mistakes these days. The loyalty is not there now,’ said Hartley. ‘If a higher club comes in for a manager, he’s got to take that chance because if results turn there is no loyalty. The board will get rid of them.
‘Right now I am enjoying stressfree Saturdays. I am enjoying going to watch my son playing for Hamilton Accies and doing some media stuff.
‘But I do miss being on the training pitch with players. I enjoy the coaching side of it and I would like to get back into it.
‘I don’t know about the management side yet. I don’t miss all the other stressful stuff that goes along with management in football. I am quite happy to get away from it for a while.’
Paul Hartley was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is a proud sponsor of the Scotland national team.