Celtic and Rangers face unexpected challenge after stunning BBC reveal – Borson
Celtic and Rangers could face a potential challenge from Hearts if they can agree a deal with Tony Bloom.
That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the Brighton owner could make matters more interesting in the Scottish Premiership if he strikes a deal with the Edinburgh club.
BBC Sport reported on 16 September Hearts have held talks with Bloom that could lead to the club utilising his analytics company Starlizard for player recruitment.
If an agreement can be reached, the 54-year-old would become a minority shareholder at Tynecastle.
Starlizard has been utilised by both Brighton and Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in recent times.
Tony Bloom could help Hearts close gap on Celtic and Rangers
Borson insisted a deal with Bloom could give Hearts the edge in their bid to close the gap on Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
“Clearly, Brighton know what they are doing on the data side,” Borson told Football Insider.
“Tony Bloom’s company Starlizard is already paid £3million per annum for the data services in relation to transfers and other sorts of data.
“He also has an ownership of Belgian team Union Saint-Gilloise and I assume that is a similar kind of arrangement.
“He did have to make certain changes to how that company was operated following the qualification into Europe so that they weren’t banned. That would be a concern I think as well for Hearts.
“But clearly, somebody that knows what they are doing on the data side and can acquire players relatively cheaply, put them into the Scottish league, increase their value and has some form of ownership is going to be a challenge to Celtic and Rangers.
“It could be interesting. The track record is there for all to see. The data that they are providing to Brighton does appear to be working and is a very high-quality product.
“If Hearts can get access to that, I doubt it’s going to cost the £3million that Brighton pay, then it could give them that edge.
“That could get quite interesting in Scotland if that works.”
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