Hearts prepare for an upgrade
NO ONE has everest abli shed the correct etiquette for winning championships without actually kicking a ball. In 1993, alex Ferguson learned Manches ter United were champions for the first time in 26 years while putting out on the 17th green of his local golf course. Others have preferred to suffer the agony and ecstasy of watching their closest rivals fall at the last while glued to a tV set.
Nobody would have cared less had Robbie Neilson taken either option on Sunday. Yet the fact he was ensconced at Stirling University studying for another coaching badge as Rangers defeated hibs spoke of his unstinting commitment to self-improvement.
having led his side to the title with seven games to spare, with just one defeat suffered in the process, it could be argued that there is little immediate room for improvement for hearts’ head coach and his players.
the cold reality, though, is that neither Neilson, director of football craig Levein nor chairperson ann Budge will be fooled even by the remarkable statistics the side has clocked up this term.
the Gorgie club are perfectly entitled to dispense with the usual bluster about consolidation being the priority next season. they are already better than that.
Last season’s promoted sides, Dundee and hamilton, have long since secured their status and hearts look a more potent team than they were a year ago.
a mid-table finish already looks a reasonable target. the top- six placing which Neilson craves may prove a taller order as things stand.
For former Jambos midfielder Neil Berry, anything beyond that will only develop if there is a considerable influx of experienced players in the coming weeks.
‘I think there will always be a strong element of youth, going forward,’ Berry said. ‘the academy is strong, so a lot more of these kids should come through and fit in.
‘Obviously, they won’t want to come straight back down again and, to make sure that doesn’t happen, you’ve got to have a bit of experience in there as well.
‘I’d imagine Robbie will bring in three or four experienced guys to help him out while keeping the nucleus of the squad together.
‘I think, even now, these young lads would hold their own in the Premiership against most teams, although I’m not so sure about the top teams. the squad just now might even be mid-table.
‘But you saw what happened in the cup games when they played celtic ( 3- 0 and 4- 0 defeats). Everyone was expecting hearts to do really well but those games showed there’s still a gulf between the top of the Premiership and the championship.
‘You can’t just expect to walk in and start beating celtic. that just doesn’t happen. aberdeen would be a real test for them, as would Dundee United and Inverness.’
Given their duty to ensure none of the play-off hopefuls are handed an unfair advantage, Neilson’s side are likely to go closer to full tilt in their remaining games.
Momentum, then, should be in their f avour when hostilities resume. that will undoubtedly take them a long way but Berry believes major humps in the road will duly come along.
‘It’s OK just now as they are winning games against l esser teams,’ he said. ‘But when they start to maybe lose a couple of games on the trot … how are they going to react then?
‘that’s where craig and Robbie are going to have to instil in the players that things aren’t going to be the same.
‘It’s how players react to defeat. can they take it on the chin when they take a drubbing? they’re used to winning just now and scoring three or four goals. that will be the big thing.’
Of course, the club have already proved adept at bringing in some experienced names who have helped them clinch the title.
While Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis were known to hearts fans, the likes of Osman Sow, Genero Zeefuik and alim Ozturk were unknown quantities. to a man, though, they have been success stories.
‘they’ve obviously done a bit of research to bring the right guys in,’ said Berry. ‘they have really supplemented t he y ounger players. I’m sure whoever comes in will do likewise.
‘It’s obviously a real team effort between Robbie and craig in that r e gard. craig is a hugely experienced guy to have around and help out. he’s a man who knows the business inside out. his partnership with Robbie is clearly working well. there must be a good understanding there.’
Saturday’s game with Queen of the South has long been a sell-out. the perfect illustration of what is possible when fans, players and directors all pull in the one direction, if ever there was one.
‘the supporters are all involved now, which is a good thing,’ Berry said. ‘the way they’ve bought shares and season tickets says it all. they’re right behind the team and the people running the club.
‘Every week now, they’re getting 16,000 to 17,000. You can’t ask for more from the punters. they’ve backed the club while the boys on the field have done it. It makes a huge difference.
‘When you are winning every week, you want to go every week and watch them. there’s a feeling that everyone is in it together.
‘that’s the way the club is going to be run under ann Budge. She’s said she’ll walk away once everything is on a sure foot and let the supporters have it.’