Jambos chief exec Andrew McKinlay believes the ambitious Tynecastle club will only get better
Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay(Image: SNS Group)
Bullish Hearts chief exec Andrew McKinlay insists this season’s title charge will not be a one-off.
The Jambos head to Celtic Park on Sunday sitting proudly at the Premiership on goal difference ahead of the reigning champions.
Hearts were, however, nine clear at one point following a blistering start under new manager Derek McInnes, only for a run of just one victory in seven seeing the Bhoys wipe out that advantage – and with a game in hand as well.
New investor Tony Bloom lit the blue touch paper at the start of the season by admitting he would be disappointed if Hearts did not win the league within the next decade with the help of his Jamestown Analytics.
And McKinlay is adamant that what the supporters have seen so far this season is only a taste of what’s to come for the ambitious capital club.
He said: “I’ve heard a lot of chat that this season’s our big chance to win the league and all this stuff because Rangers and Celtic aren’t as good, and that to me is really interesting.
“People have not been listening to what we’ve been saying. We expect to get better and better and better and better. We are surprised this year where we sit.
“We don’t see this as a one-off. Tony said he expects to win the league within the next 10 years.
“He might have adjusted that, I’m not sure, but this is a long-term project to make us, a club and a team, that can compete year on year with Rangers and Celtic.”
Tony Bloom
McKinlay, meanwhile, insists Hearts do not have to trim their 35-strong top-team squad before adding new signings next month.
Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov, of Kazakh Premier League Tobol, will arrive in the coming days to start training ahead of a January move following signing a pre-contract.
McKinlay admits finding another right-back is also a priority, with Christian Borchgrevink having so far been hampered by niggling injuries.
He added: “We don’t need to get them out first. We would like to move some players out.
“I think it’s fairly clear that our squad is too big. With the model, we’ll always look at the people coming in.
“I think the one that’s been talked about is the right-back and we are looking at that.
“Having said that, I thought Borchgrevink was very good [against Kilmarnock] and I got the impression, when he was brought off, from the fan reaction that they were pleased to see him and let’s hope he can go a bit injury-free and we can see more of him at right-back.
“We need to remember Chesnokov is coming in as well, which is important. I think everyone’s quite excited about him and looking forward to that.”
Speaking after yesterday’s AGM, McKinlay was also asked for any update on any contract talks with Beni Baningime – with the midfielder one of eight players in the last six months of their contracts.
He added: “It’s an interesting one and, again, people have different views on Beni as a player. And Beni will have his own views.
“Beni, as you probably know, is a very thoughtful individual and he’ll make his own decision as to what he wants to do come the end of the season.”