UEFA rules have given Celtic the advantage over Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race
Hearts may have a stunning five point lead over Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table right now, but the Hoops will have the advantage in the title race in January.
Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Dundee has given Hearts the chance to open up an eight-point gap between the teams when they meet at Tynecastle this Sunday.
Hearts currently have momentum on their side, whilst Celtic fans are protesting against the board and their is air of negativity at the Glasgow club due to their underwhelming performances.
Brendan Rodgers’ contract runs out of the end of the season, and the former Liverpool manager felt let down in the summer transfer window, so will be keen to ensure he is given financial support in the January window.
UEFA rules will stop Hearts spending in January
Frustrations at Celtic over a lack of spending has intensified due to the clubs excellent financial accounts, which have shown over £70million in the bank.
Meanwhile, Brighton owner Tony Bloom invested in Hearts and purchased a 29% stake into the club.
Bloom’s investment supported Hearts’ summer business, but the clubs Chief Executive Andrew McKinlay has given supporters a warning ahead of the January window.
As per the Daily Record [21 October] “UEFA laws around dual club ownership mean Bloom can’t invest any more without risking being perceived as having “control or decisive influence” by the governing body.”
Whilst McKinlay said: “I think more generally in January, you never say never because you just don’t know what’s going to happen, but unlikely to make any significant number of new signings.
“We’ve got a big squad, everyone knows we’ve got a big squad and we’re more likely ideally, to actually move a few players out, maybe some players that thought they still had an opportunity over this period of time, but maybe come January, decide they need to move elsewhere.
“I think one other thing just to touch upon is that yes, we’ll have the benefit of Jamestown Analytics and that is massively important to allow us to kick on if we do feel we need new players in January or indeed next summer. But there’s been some talk about if we’re in a great position, then Tony Bloom will put more money into the club and invest further.
“I think it’s important I just emphasise that Tony’s not actually in a position to do that, he said this himself when he spoke to the Foundation members in August at the beginning of the season, just to do with UEFA rules.
“I just want to make sure people do understand that, but I’m very confident that we will have a squad coming out of January that will allow us to give ourselves the best opportunity as we move through the rest of the season. It’s very exciting times and I’m really looking forward to that going forward.”
The news will come as a blow to Derek McInnes’ hopes of further bolstering his side for the second half of the season.
Celtic also have one other factor which will boost title charge
Even with a depleted squad, Celtic have still been able to beat most sides they have faced in the league this season.
Therefore, the prospect of Celtic spending a chunk of their huge cash reserves on the squad in January should concern Hearts.
| Won | 5 |
| Drawn | 2 |
| Lost | 1 |
| Goals Scored | 11 |
| Goals Conceded | 5 |
Hearts may have no answer to the Hoops if they decide to spend, and Rodgers will also be boosted by the return of winger Jota in the new year, who has been injured since May.
After their meeting this weekend, Hearts will still have three matches against Celtic to navigate including two at Parkhead, meaning an eight-point gap could be swiftly overturned.