Can Hearts beat the Old Firm to Premiership glory?

Hearts sit top of the Scottish Premiership unbeaten and five points clear; new signings and a never-beaten keeper boost confidence. Betting implication: punters may favour Hearts to avoid defeat or take a double-chance (Win/Draw) against Celtic, or back Hearts to win at modest odds — consider hedged stakes given Celtic and Rangers’ early-season instability.

Hearts lead Premiership with unbeaten start and growing belief

Hearts have surged to the top of the Scottish Premiership, remaining unbeaten through the opening fixtures and sitting five points clear. A dramatic Edinburgh derby late winner and a 2-0 victory at Rangers — the club’s first Ibrox success since 2014 — have fuelled genuine title talk around Tynecastle.

Tony Bloom’s investment and long-term vision

New shareholder Tony Bloom publicly predicted Hearts could finish second this season and challenge for the title in the coming decade. Bloom, who has seen success with other clubs after investing in analytics-driven recruitment, has backed a model that prioritises data and targeted signings.

Recruitment and analytics shaping the squad

Hearts partnered with Jamestown Analytics to identify and recruit ten new players over the summer. Key arrivals such as Claudio Braga, Alex Kyziridis and Stuart Findlay have contributed decisively, combining for goals and assists that have accelerated the team’s momentum.

Striker form and defensive resurgence

Lawrence Shankland, who remained at the club after his contract ran down, has returned to form with early-season goals. Craig Halkett has started every match and scored in three consecutive games. The defence has tightened markedly after a shaky opening, with goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow recording clean sheets in each of his first four appearances — a new club milestone for a Hearts No.1.

Old Firm wobble creates opportunity

While Hearts have prospered, Celtic and Rangers have shown unexpected fragility. Celtic’s unbeaten run was ended by an upset defeat at Dundee, and Rangers have dropped points at home. The traditional Glasgow dominance looks less assured this season, giving Hearts an unusual window to push for a top-two finish.

Historical context and realism

Despite the strong start, history suggests the gap between second and third often remains large; recent seasons show non-Old Firm teams typically struggle to sustain title-challenging consistency. Hearts would likely need an exceptional points tally to finish above the Old Firm long-term, and past examples warn of mid-season collapses after fast starts.

Tynecastle showdown with Celtic — a season-defining test

Hearts host Celtic in a pivotal fixture that could turn the title race. A home victory would stretch the lead and deliver a psychological blow to the champions; a draw or loss would temper expectations and reframe Hearts’ ambitions. The match will be watched closely by neutrals and punters alike.

Implications for bettors

Hearts’ unbeaten form, reinforced defence and effective recruitment make them an attractive market proposition for lower-risk bets: double-chance (Hearts or draw), match outcome hedges, or backing Hearts to win in-play if initial odds are short. Given Celtic and Rangers’ early-season inconsistencies, cautious staking with hedges may be the prudent approach.

Conclusion

Hearts’ blend of strategic investment, successful recruitment and a defensive revival has produced a rare momentum swing in Scottish football. While optimism is high at Tynecastle, long-term ambitions will be judged against consistency across the campaign and results in high-stakes fixtures, starting with the upcoming clash against Celtic.

"We shall not be moved" rung out from the away end as Hearts beat Kilmarnock to move five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Sky Sports