Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, remains unfazed by the pre-season success predictions made by Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton and a recent investor in Hearts. Bloom has acquired a 29 percent non-voting share in Hearts for approximately £10 million over the summer. His ambitious statement indicated a desire for Hearts to secure the league title within the next decade.
Hearts’ Strong Start in the Premiership
With the William Hill Premiership season just underway, Hearts have impressively secured seven wins from their first eight matches. They are poised to extend their lead to eight points if they triumph over Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday.
Rodgers’ Perspective on Bloom’s Ambitions
Rodgers respects Bloom’s ambitions for Hearts, acknowledging his former success in sports betting and data analysis. He remarked, “Tony’s a clever guy. He’s done fantastic in his life and business.” Reflecting on Bloom’s prior work at Brighton, he recognized the potential for Hearts to leverage Bloom’s expertise to enhance their performance.
The Challenge Posed by Derek McInnes
Rodgers also spoke about Hearts’ head coach, Derek McInnes, who has historically posed significant challenges during Rodgers’ tenure at Celtic. McInnes managed to secure five runner-up positions with Aberdeen during that time and later orchestrated a notable victory over Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup while managing Kilmarnock.
“He’s a really good manager who understands how to maximize his teams’ capabilities,” said Rodgers, acknowledging McInnes’ strategic nous. He described Hearts as a “big club” keen on engaging in European competitions.
Looking Ahead
Despite being early in the season, Rodgers emphasized the need for Celtic to improve their inconsistency and overall performance. He noted that the team has potential, as demonstrated in their recent Europa League win against Sturm Graz.
- Predictions by Tony Bloom: Aims for Hearts to win the title within 10 years.
- Investment: Bloom purchased a 29 percent stake in Hearts for £10 million.
- Premiership Performance: Hearts currently lead with seven wins from eight matches.
- Key Opponent: Derek McInnes is seen as a significant challenge for Celtic.
- Upcoming Match: Hearts vs. Celtic at Tynecastle.
Rodgers concluded that while Hearts have had a strong start, there is still a long season ahead, and he anticipates improvements in Celtic’s play as they progress through the competition.
