Bone tips Hearts to improve

FORMER Hearts star Jimmy Bone today claimed that the Jambos have what it takes to split the Old Firm this season.

Craig Levein guided his team into third place for the second year in succession last term, the Gorgie outfit finishing 13 points behind Rangers.

Despite Ibrox manager Alex McLeish having signed players of the quality of Dado Prso, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Marvin Andrews, Alex Rae, Nacho Novo and Dragan Mladenovic during his summer spending spree, Bone believes there is every chance that Hearts can continue their improvement and mount a serious challenge for second place in the SPL. The bold prediction came from the Ross County No.2 after he had watched his side draw 0-0 with Hearts in Dingwall last night, the ex-Jambo suitably impressed by the manner in which his old club is shaping up for the new league campaign.

"I thought Hearts looked very good last night and kept the ball well," he said. "They certainly look in good shape and to be honest I can’t see anyone coming from behind to take them for third place.

"They appear to have a decent squad and, in fact, if one of the wheels comes off the Old Firm bogey, Hearts could possibly finish in between them.

"I know it is a tough ask but I believe they have a real chance as they have a good squad with some excellent young players.

"I think they will be right up there challenging the Old Firm and ready to take advantage of any slip-ups."

Levein, who was impressed by the performance of his youngsters in the Dingwall stalemate, acknowledged such an achievement will be far from easy.

"At the moment we are all starting on a level playing field so, up to this point, we are as good as Rangers and Celtic," he said.

"We want to improve on last season’s performances and points total. That is our objective. It takes time to get there. Rangers have strengthened again and I am sure Celtic will do so as well. It is a Hell of a task to get closer to either of them but that is our intention."

One player who caught the eye of Bone at Victoria Park was new signing Ramon Pereira, the Ross County man suggesting the Spaniard will prove to be a hit in the SPL.

Taken from the Scotsman