Timing is everything.
Robbie Neilson has said that rising to challenge the Old Firm may take three to four seasons.
Let’s assumes Robbie means from now, season 2022/23.
Getting to that point where Hearts can knock Celtic and Rangers off their perches requires building the playing squad.
Thanks to the efforts of Joe Savage, working closely with Robbie and the Tynecastle Board, squad building is going well.
Good or better players can be found in every position, the majority on long enough contracts to guarantee they can be integral to the future challenge at the top.
Robbie has clearly stated that he wants as many players as possible on permanent contracts. Loan players can be a great success – but, when they go, may leave a sizeable hole in the team. Such a hole would be a backward step, when all that one wants at this stage is to be moving forward.
Moving forward to REALLY challenge the Glasgow giants.
Their 37 year stranglehold on the Scottish Premiership MUST not continue for much longer.
However, I believe Robbie and Joe know that the final push, the push to win the Premiership title, may well require one or two season-long loans to get Hearts over the line.
I doubt that Hearts are ready for that final push this season. Building the squad with permanent signings will need at least one more season to reach the tipping point, the point at which a sustained challenge to the top two is likely rather than possible.
When that point is reached, it is probable investments in bringing the likes of Ellis Simms to Tynecastle for a whole season will need to be made.
Simms reputedly earns £16,000 per week. So to pay all of his wages for a year would cost £800,000.
Expensive for Hearts – no contracted player at Tynecastle earns this kind of money – BUT not out of the question for a one season investment, with no transfer fee involved.
At the right time, when the challenge at the top is going to be mounted, it will be up to the Board to sanction this kind of investment .
In practice, perhaps two players will be needed, so it may be necessary to set aside around £2 million for a couple of loan deals to augment an already strong squad.
Bear in mind the prize here.
The glory is in bringing the Premiership Crown back to Tynecastle, after a more than 60 year hiatus.
And in saving Scottish football from being the permanent victim of the Glasgow duopoly.
However, there is also a financial prize, with potentially £30 million plus to be earned from Champions League participation.
All connected with Hearts definitely put the glory first. Waiting more than 60 years has intensified the need to bring the league title back to Edinburgh to fever pitch.
However, the European money is required to ensure Hearts are not one season wonders at the top.
So the stakes are high.
One season soon, the extra investment in loan players will in all probability need to be made.
When it is, all Hearts supporters will recognise that the season which follows will be the most important in the clubs recent history.
It is hard to wait, but a little patience is vital.
Hearts time WILL come.
BELIEVE.
Time for Change.
— Read on www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/ellis-simms-end-hearts-hopes-24595402.amp
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