TYNECASTLE TALK
Ann Budge has insisted that everyone at Hearts is “focused on a top-six finish” as she revealed that the club expects to turn over an extra £1 million this year.
In her latest update to supporters, the Hearts owner admitted that the Tynecastle club has “had a few disappointments this season”, along with “some great things to shout about”, such as the rise of Harry Cochrane, Anthony Mcdonald, Euan Henderson and the other youngsters who have featured for the first team so far this campaign.
Budge said: “Every Hearts supporter must be delighted at the now demonstrable success of our academy, proving beyond any doubt that our investments over the last three years into our youth programmes, our coaching methods and our scouting arrangements have been well worthwhile.
“I’m sure it makes all of us immensely proud to see so many of our Academy graduates running out regularly at Tynecastle as part of the first team.”
Addressing the first team’s recent results, Budge continued: “The first team has suffered some disappointing results over recent weeks. A toughrunagainstpremiership sides took us to the quarterfinal stage of the Scottish Cup; our first appearance there since 2012. Losing to Motherwell was a blow but, rest assured, we go again next season with renewed efforts to reach Hampden.”
Admitting that the club’s current placing in the league was “not where we would hope to be at this point in the season”, Budge added: “We should not underestimate or forget the challenges of the early part of the season, when we had so many games away from Tynecastle.
“Since returning ‘home’ the boys have tried hard to make Tynecastle the fortress of times gone by, as evidenced by the fact that we are still unbeaten since coming ‘home’.
“I can assure you that everyone here is totally focused on securing a top-six finish.”
Budge also revealed that a tendering process for laying a new pitch at Tynecastle was “well under way” but a final decision still is required to be made.
“We want to ensure that we
“In business terms we are doing well, and I am confident that the future looks good. We are two years away from becoming the largest fan-owned club in the UK”
ANN BUDGE