Brendan Rodgers says he has ‘enough to worry about’ at Celtic as he turns a blind eye to Tony Bloom’s Hearts ambition.
Bloom owns a 10% stake in the Edinburgh club having invested earlier this year, adding Hearts to a portfolio that also includes Brighton & Hove Albion and Union Saint-Gilloise.
He wants to see Hearts challenging for the Scottish Premiership title this season and winning it within 10 years, something they haven’t achieved since 1960.
Aberdeen were the last team outside of Celtic and Rangers to win the Scottish top-flight crown in 1985, with the Hoops winning 13 of the last 14.
The Jambos have made a great start this season and sit five points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Premiership ahead of Sunday’s massive tussle at Tynecastle between the pair.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesRodgers addresses Bloom ahead of Hearts vs Celtic
Rodgers previewed the game after beating Sturm Graz in the Europa League and was quizzed on Bloom’s comments.
He replied: “I never had any reaction. Tony’s a clever guy; he’s done fantastically in his life and business. I know Tony and his brother Darren.
“If you go back, way back to the time at Brighton when they were coming through the levels and they weren’t even at their own ground. The job he did at Brighton is and has been amazing.
“He’s obviously seen an opportunity at Hearts. He’s come in and looked to add his expertise and knowledge and looked to get them up there.
“Hearts is one of the biggest clubs up here and they will want to be challenging and be in European football.
“I didn’t think anything of it (Bloom’s comments). I’ve got enough to worry about with Celtic.”
What’s on the line as Celtic travel to Hearts?
This Sunday’s 12pm meeting in Edinburgh between Hearts and Celtic is simply massive for both clubs in their pursuit of the title.
The Jambos can go an incredible eight points clear with a victory, which will knock the sails out of the Hoops and damage confidence.
A draw is fine for both teams and doesn’t really rewrite the script, but a Celtic win is psychologically huge for Rodgers and his men.
That would cut the gap to just two points, letting Hearts know that the Bhoys will be in and around them right until the end of the season.