The league leaders are six points clear at the summit and their form has caught the eye of Lineker
Gary Lineker discusses Hearts
Gary Lineker admits he was impressed by league leaders Hearts after they swatted aside Rangers last weekend.
And he has question why the surging Jambos can’t see off Celtic in the title race after a lacklustre start under Wilfried Nancy. Derek McInnes has lead Hearts six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, securing doubles over the Hoops and Rangers already this season.
It’s the first time since the 1959/60 season, Hearts have defeated the Glasgow giants four times in a row in the same season and the first time a non-Old Firm side have been top on Christmas Day since 1993. And after tuning into the 2-1 win on Sunday, Lineker admitted to being impressed.
He told Micah Richards on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast: “I watched Hearts vs Rangers. Well, there was no early Premier League game, was there? So I switched on. I thought I’d watch a bit.
“Actually, I really enjoyed it. Hearts, Heart of Midlothian, such a great name. They’re now six points clear. I think Celtic, well, Celtic have got a game in hand but they’ve beaten both the Old Firm teams twice this season. So four victories, two against Celtic, two against Rangers.
“I thought they played really well in the game. The last time one of the Old Firm teams did not win in Scotland, I think I’m right in saying was Aberdeen with a certain Sir Alex Ferguson in charge. I mean, that’s 40 years. 40 years. Can they do it?”
Former Manchester City defender Richards responded: “You know, when you watched them though, because a lot of people have been talking about them and how good they’ve been played. Can they sustain it on what you’ve seen?”
Hearts’ Stuart Findlay celebrates after scoring against Rangers(Image: SNS Group)
Lineker felt that the ‘confidence” that Hearts have build – having only lost one league game this term going into the Edinburgh derby clash with Hibs – could unlock a title triumph.
The ex-Leicester City and England hero said: “Well I only saw one game, so it’s difficult to know but if they play like that and they played a lot of really good football.
“Particularly, I thought, in the second half and they knocked it about and had two or three other really good chances.
“It was kind of ding-dong and end to end, particularly in the second half. Rangers gave it a go but why not? It’s a good lead that they’ve got.
“You know how important confidence is. It’s tough to beat those big two up there but Celtic have had that bad run.
“They lost four on the bounce. They won on Sunday, however, so stops the rot. It is interesting, particularly with the World Cup coming in Scotland as well. I think it’d be good for Scottish football if someone other than Celtic or Rangers won the league”