PREDICTED LEAGUE FINISH: Third
LAST SEASON: Promoted from the Championship
NOTABLE INS: Gavin Reilly (Queen of the South, £40k), Blazej Augustyn (Gornik Zabrze), Juanma (Kalloni), Igor Rossi (Maritimo)
NOTABLE OUTS: Dale Carrick (Kilmarnock), Liam Gordon (St. Johnstone), Jason Holt (Rangers), James Keatings (Hibernian), Brad McKay (St. Johnstone), Scott Robinson (Kilmarnock), Danny Wilson (Rangers), Liam Henderson (Stenhousemuir, loan), Genero Zeefuik (Groningen, end of loan), Adam Eckersley
LAST SEASON'S BEST XI (departed players crossed out): Alexander, Paterson,
Welcome back, Hearts. We've missed you. No, really. Tynecastle is a great away day, and the decent support the Jambos take around the country is very welcome indeed.
A season in the Championship doesn't seem to have done them any harm at all. On the contrary, it's galvanised everyone associated with the club. Off the pitch, everything is now in excellent order, with the wonderful Ann Budge overseeing operations. On it, their group of excellent young players have picked up another season of experience which should serve them well back in the top flight.
How high can Hearts aim this season? They have sold more season tickets than anyone else in the division except Celtic, but Aberdeen are still a fair bit stronger too. There is, however, not very much between the other teams in the Premiership. A top six finish is perfectly realistic; could they even finish as high as third?
That will depend on whether they are actually stronger or weaker than they were last year. Some important players have actually left - captain Danny Wilson, left-back Adam Eckersley (surprisingly let go), the freescoring Gennero Zeefuik. Pole Blazej Augustyn has plenty of experience and it will be hoped he can replace Wilson, and if they push through the signing of Juwon Oshaniwa, just a year after he represented Nigeria at the World Cup, they will probably be even better off on the left. They've also acquired Brazilian Igor Rossi Branco, possibly just for his awesome name. If he turns out to be half-decent, then that's a bonus.
With Neil Alexander still a reliable keeper at 37 and Callum Paterson (young enough to be Alexander's son) offering a strong, powerful presence at right-back, the defence should be in good nick...as long as new captain Alim Ozturk only steps out of defence when there is cover for him. The cover should come from two of Morgaro Gomis, Prince Buaben and Miguel Pallardo, each of whom are very competent defensive midfielders. It is worth remembering that the former two did not impress in their last spells in the top flight though. Pallardo however may well be a standout this season with his comfort in possession.
They won't be too short of flair either. Last time they were in the Premiership, Billy King and Sam Nicholson showed flashes but appeared a bit lightweight, while Jason Walker shone occasionally but was often totally uninvolved. Each of them have improved dramatically since then, with King in particular a real star last season. And surely they will keep getting better. It's also worth keeping an eye out for teenager Sean McKirdy, who is very highly rated and might make a breakthrough this season.
Osman Sow may be deployed as a more physical presence out wide, but he should be capable of leading the line as long as he is fit. Director of Football Craig Levein has hedged his bets by bringing in two more forwards, though. I can't say I know much about Spaniard Juanma, who had been playing in Greece. Ex-Queen of the South striker Gavin Reilly is an intriguing signing though; he has surprisingly good technique for his size, but is he ready to make the step up? Oh, and Soufiane El Hassnaoui is still here, too.
It seems churlish to say that they are a regular goalscorer away from being very competitive, as that's the case for most clubs! But in Hearts' case, it is true. But avoiding relegation is the least of their concerns. They'll be aiming much, much higher, and quite right too.
THE SQUAD (players born after 1 January 1994 in italics)
Goalkeepers: Neil Alexander, Scott Gallacher, Jack Hamilton
Defenders: Blazej Augustyn, Jordan McGhee, Kevin McHattie, Alim Ozturk, Callum Paterson, Igor Rossi, Liam Smith
Midfielders: Kenny Anderson, Angus Beith, Prince Buaben, Morgaro Gomis, Billy King, Sean McKirdy, Sam Nicholson, Miguel Pallardo, Jamie Walker
Forwards: Robbie Buchanan, Sofiane El Hassnaoui, Nathan Flanagan, Juanma, Gary Oliver, Gavin Reilly, Alistair Roy, Osman Sow
THE BEST XI?
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
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