Football Season Guide

Hearts bounced back from the Championship at the first attempt with a dominant campaign. Solid all over the park, they finished 12 points clear at the top of the table and with a goal difference 30 points higher than the next strongest team. Summer has been positive for Hearts, with key loan man Ginnelly earning a permanent deal and role players departing, leaving squad a little light in places. Last season’s relentless push for promotion meant prospects were short on game time and several have departed. But a handful of key signings augment an already strong team. An extensive pre-season campaign has seen mostly positive results, although most games were against lower league opposition. A clean sweep of wins in the League Cup group stage saw 4 clean sheets in a row, as a tough defence continued to perform. Manager Neilson has plenty of experience in the Scottish game, and knows his team well. The likes of Gordon and Boyce offer a wealth of experience and leadership, while some newer players could see more game time this time out. Armand Gnanduillet has the potential to make a big impact. Keeping star striker Boyce and other key players fit will be key to a successful campaign, as well as bulking up in key positions and managing squad rotation. Some astute management could see Hearts return to the top flight with a bang.