Tony Bloom
Hearts of Midlothian are riding high in the Scottish Premiership, currently sitting at the top of the table following a significant 2-1 victory over Celtic. This achievement has been bolstered by the investment of Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom, who has acquired a 29% stake in the Edinburgh club. The former Scotland manager, Craig Levein, has voiced his belief that Hearts are well-positioned to capitalize on the current “chaos” at Celtic and Rangers to secure the championship this season.
Craig Levein said: “I think so. Because I think they’ve got really good quality players. Never, in all my time in football. There isn’t a player in either of the Celtic or Rangers teams that you would get excited about. Recruitment is massive and I think the investment from Tony Bloom has been a Godsend for Hearts. And the quality of the players that Hearts are bringing in, I think they’re more like Old Firm players than the ones the Old Firm have got. They have got energy and aggression.”
Levein further emphasized the significance of Bloom’s involvement, noting that it coincides with a period of instability within the boardrooms of both Celtic and Rangers. This, he argues, creates a “perfect storm” for Hearts to seize the opportunity and claim the title.
He added: “In the boardrooms at the Old Firm just now, there’s chaos, isn’t there? And, all of a sudden, this guy walks in the door who everybody knows what he’s done at Brighton. He’s a serious guy. But the decline, and behind the scenes at both of the Old Firm teams, it’s a difficult thing to cure. So there’s the perfect storm. Hearts have got momentum, the place is packed. I was trying to get four tickets for the Rangers game (next Sunday) and I phoned about ten people at Hearts. Mrs Budge (the former chair) came through, don’t worry, but, honestly, they’re like hen’s teeth, to get four tickets, it’s like gold dust.”
Bloom’s influence extends beyond Hearts, as he also holds interests in Royale Union St Gilloise, a club that won the Belgian title last season and currently leads the league this term. However, his Australian club, Melbourne Victory, is struggling at the bottom of the A-League, despite a recent win against Adelaide.
The investment from Bloom appears to be a strategic move that could shift the balance of power in Scottish football. With Hearts leading the pack and the Old Firm clubs facing internal challenges, the stage is set for a potentially historic season for the Edinburgh side
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