Harsh Euro lesson will have taught Jambos’ kids a thing or two!

OVERVIEW

WITH their quality squad and the backing the on- field effort will get, I expect Hearts to be very strong once again.

Tynecastle produces one of the best atmospheres in the country, and it is significant the club have announced record season ticket sales.

With some 15,000 cheering them on at every home game, they should be tough to beat in the capital.

They did, of course, go out of Europe to Maltese side Birkirkara. That was a very poor result and a huge disappointment to everyone with Gorgie leanings.

Robbie Neilson put that down to the inexperience of youth, and it’s to be hoped that harsh lesson taught the kids a thing or two.

MANAGER

HEARTS have done well to hold onto to Robbie Neilson because I think he must be a man in demand.

He is a young, up- and- coming manager, who did a great job last season to lead a newlypromoted side to third place and back into Europe.

That after winning the Championship in his first season in charge.

A lot of people thought he would not be able to do much with the squad he had when they went up to the Premiership.

But he showed that even while securing promotion, he was laying firm foundations for the step up to the top flight.

That is not an easy thing to do, and Neilson’s rise won’t have been missed by clubs in England.

MOST-IMPORTANT PLAYER

IF Conor Sammon can get back to the sort of form he was in with Kilmarnock back in 2010- 11, then he will light up the Scottish Premiership.

Eighteen goals in 27 games is a terrific return for a striker, and it was no great surprise when his £600,000 move south to Wigan Athletic was announced at the end of that season.

I will need to see it proved, however, because my suspicion is the Republic of Ireland internationalist owed much of his success at Rugby Park to the genius of Alexei Eremenko.

As I am sure fans of all Scottish clubs, not just Killie, would agree, Eremenko was a huge talent, a really skilful midfielder.

He gave Sammon tremendous service that year, and it looks more than co-incidence he has struggled for goals ever since.

So Hearts are taking a little bit of a gamble as they search for someone to help fill the Osman Sow role.

At 29, he has been around and the hope has to be that he can use his experience to help the team, even if the goals aren’t flowing for him.

FINISHING POSITION

FOURTH. With Rangers back in the top flight, I think Hearts will finish lower than last season.