Latest news with #TonyBloom
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Should Hearts' Shankland stay or should he go?
Heart of Midlothian travel to Spain for a pre-season training camp this weekend, just over two weeks out from their opening match of the new season against Dunfermline Athletic on 12 the travelling group, one name is conspicuous by its absence, that of talismanic striker Lawrence Shankland, whose contract with the club expires at the end of this month. Since Hearts brought Shankland back to Scotland in 2022, he has established himself as one of the most reliable goalscorers in Scotland's top has scored 68 goals in Hearts colours in 137 appearances across all competitions. There's an old adage about good strikers scoring one in two - and Shankland does that. That form, along with Shankland's contract situation, explains the long-standing speculation over the Scotland international. A mooted move to Rangers never transpired and links to West Bromwich Albion appear to have gone Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has made no secret of his desire to keep Shankland in Gorgie and tie him down to a new deal, with conversations between player and club is rife among Hearts supporters after Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom completed a £9.86m deal to buy a 29% stake in the Edinburgh will Shankland hold out for a move to England or back overseas? Or will he want to be part of Bloom's "disruption" and lead the line in maroon again next season? Hearts can offer 'security' & ambition The fact that Shankland has not made it clear he is leaving is cause for optimism for both McInnes and Hearts is evidently and understandably excited at the prospect of working with the 29-year-old, but will Shankland sign on the dotted line to link up with the club's new team boss?Hearts will hope the chance to be part of their new project, with tried-and-tested performer McInnes in the dugout and Bloom's gravitas in the boardroom, is enough to persuade their star uncertainty over Shankland's future has been clouded further still as McInnes heads to Spain without him."I really feel Lawrence as part of a strong Hearts team can elevate himself," McInnes said earlier this week. "I think he's capable of scoring 25-30 goals a season in the right team and used in the right way."We can offer security. We can offer building a team and being part of a team that's trying to be successful."With Bloom aiming to "disrupt the pattern of domination which has been in place for far too long" in Scottish football, there is an expectation Hearts will attack the transfer Christian Borchgrevink, winger Alexandros Kyziridis, striker Claudio Braga, centre-half Stuart Findlay and midfielder Oisin McEntee have already signed in the early knockings of the window, while Elton Kabangu joined permanently after last season's loan the ambition of the McInnes-Bloom project, the prospect of playing under the immediate gaze of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke would be another perk of staying in Edinburgh for Shankland. Why do Hearts want to keep him? One word. Goals."When you get the ball into dangerous areas, Lawrence Shankland will score," former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart said on Sportscene at the end of last season."A guy that is capable of banging in 20-plus goals a season doesn't grow on trees."Stewart is right. Shankland has passed the 20-goal mark in the Premiership twice in the past three seasons - no other player has done Furuhashi did it once for Celtic, Cyriel Dessers once for Rangers and Kevin van Veen once for Motherwell. Beyond that, Shankland brings experience and leadership, having captained Hearts during goalkeeper Craig Gordon's long injury has amassed more than 150 Premiership appearances in addition to 16 Scotland caps. Shankland 'looking to maximise earning potential' Had Shankland's contract expired 12 months prior, the suitors would have been piling up to sign him on a free given his goal-scoring feats in the 2023-24 season, during which he bagged 31 goals in all season just gone was less prolific and, as he approaches 30, Shankland is likely considering how many high-profile moves or high-paying contracts he has left in his career."He's at a stage in his career where he's looking to maximise his earning potential, which is completely understandable," Stewart explains why Hearts are yet to hear from him regarding the offer on the no deal has been done, suggesting any alternative offers received by Shankland were not to his liking. With pre-season about to get under way, things will come to a head in the coming Naismith, who was Hearts boss during Shankland's free-scoring 2023-24 season, added: "Like any player, there are more options when you're out of contract."It gives you a chance to sit and think what's best for you at this stage in your career, but he'll want it sorted before pre-season starts."
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Shankland omitted from Hearts' Spanish training camp
Lawrence Shankland has been omitted from Heart of Midlothian's 28-man squad for their pre-season training camp in 29-year-old Scotland striker is out of contract with the Scottish Premiership club but has been in talks about a new head coach Derek McInnes said earlier this week that he hoped to speak to Shankland again on Tuesday and receive some "clarity" over Shankland's future "in the coming days".McInnes indicated that Hearts were hopeful of retaining the striker's services, especially as he had not indicated he was leaving this week completed a £9.86m deal with Tony Bloom for the Brighton and Hove Albion owner to buy a 29% stake in the Edinburgh Tynecastle club already had a formal relationship with Bloom's company Jamestown Analytics for who has 16 Scotland caps, joined Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in 2022.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Managing Rangers – Dor Turgeman screams sign me as £15m Igamane loot pays for Beck, Coady and Mr VIP's arrival
Nothing says revolution like selling your two key strikers and bringing in a replacement for their captain is proof things are changing No false advertising is needed when it comes to this summer's transfer window as genuine intent is visible among clubs in Scotland and beyond. Hearts are beating fast with Tony Bloom's £10m secured, Aberdeen want to make Scottish Cup glory days a regular occurrence and Celtic are striving for a new level under Brendan Rodgers. However, no club's next moves are being more keenly felt among their own than Rangers as they begin a new era as Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe strive to make the Ibrox side No.1 in Scotland. The pair's introductory statements at Rangers' EGM and the slew of media interviews which followed were packed with intent without ever veering into the territory of battle cries. The duo made clear they want to leapfrog Celtic, become transfer specialists and empower Russell Martin with the best team possible after their initial £20m cash injection upon arrival. But, as the Americans admitted themselves, words will count for little if they can't back it up and a strong debut in the transfer market this summer is a necessity. Rangers fans aren't keen on drawing parallels with Celtic, however, it's hard to avoid the similarities with the major rebuild Ange Postecoglou masterfully oversaw during his first season in Glasgow. Now Martin, a similar blue-sky thinker with a penchant for attacking football, is aiming to do the same. Record Sport dives deep to look at the arrivals and departures needed at Ibrox. Incomings Attacking midfielder Lyall Cameron was sealed before the former Scotland international's arrival but appears a good fit for what Martin expects out of his support players to his central striker. Max Aarons became the first official signing of the Martin era and it appears a statement of intent as he made a move for his former Norwich City team-mate. Both have waxed lyrical about the other and 25-year-old appears a certainty for significant game time. If a key signing metric for clubs is how much a player wants a transfer then Dor Turgeman appears made for Rangers as the Israel striker is desperate to become the focal point of Martin's attack. Southampton's playoff winning side relied on both Adam Armstrong and Che Adams, 35 goals between them, to power them to promotion and, perhaps, the 22-year-old will need help if current strikers exit. And how about Luuk De Jong as both a mentor and a forward to share the burden with? The 34-year-old is anything but a faded force and there's a growing sense in the Netherlands that Rangers could be a likely next destination after leaving PSV Eindhoven for the second time. Rangers are also keen on defensive reinforcement with Liverpool's Owen Beck but it remains dependent on outgoings and Peterborough standout Emmanuel Fernandez also on their radar. But Conor Coady feels like the most likely next arrival with 32-year-old in advanced discussions over joining Rangers after he finishes his commitments as a pundit at the Club World Cup. A winger is also craved but Oscar Cortes is expected to earn every chance to become an Ibrox contributor after a full pre-season to recover from a horror knee injury. Outgoings Whew, this is where it gets really interesting and likely dictates what happens on incomings. And seeing your two main strikers is equal parts thrilling and frightening and a keen reminder that Rangers are in a transformative stage is the fact their two key strikers appear poised for the exit door. Cyriel Dessers, the most polarising Rangers player in recent memory, is heading to AEK Athens and Hamza Igamane wants to join LIlle as the Ligue 1 side aim to thrash out a fee for the Morocco international – with £15m plus add-ons appearing the starting point of negotiations. Ridvan Yilmaz's future appears directly tied to any move for former Dundee loanee Beck with the 24-year-old enduring an unfulfilled existence in Glasgow due to the injury bug he cannot outrun. Robin Propper and Kieran Dowell are wanted elsewhere but those who have watched Martin's teams extensively reckon Ben Davies may fit the mould when it comes to ball-playing, but he is another who could depart after spending last season on loan at Birmingham City with the aforementioned Dowell. Nicolas Raskin is the one player who Rangers fans would keep before any other but a decision will likely have to be made on the Belgium international as he enters the final two years of his Ibrox contract. A new deal is likely to be tabled. James Tavernier has direct competition in the shape of Aarons, but Martin waxed lyrical about the Ibrox hall of famer in a way which went way beyond lip service. The captain has thrived in a central defensive role and that could be an option, especially if a variation of a 3-5-2 was in operation. Martin has insisted that he is not tied to one style of playing. Ross McCausland has a string of clubs targeting him but Danilo is another who is pushing the pace to prove he is worth the £6million which was shelled out for him two years ago.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'No club has tried to challenge Old Firm in this way'
We asked for your views after Tony Bloom completed his £10m investment in Hearts and vowed to "disrupt the pattern of domination" in Scottish what some of you said:Norrie: This man is a greatly serious investor who will push us to achieve great things over the coming seasons. I can't wait for the season to get going and finally see Hearts become glorious once I'm sure there is lots to look forward to, from not only his investment, but the positivity, enthusiasm and ambition he brings with it. It might not happen overnight, but the journey has at least Absolutely massive for Hearts. This will only be the start, Bloom is a serious football investor and someone who will really take the club forward. All the blocks are now in place to maximise the club's potential. Football minds on the board, proper manager in place, finance to bring in better quality players. Great news for Could this work? Let's see. No other club in Scotland has attempted to challenge the Old Firm's dominance in this way before. While I don't like the thought of becoming Brighton's 'wee team', we could benefit from some young Premier League talent. This guy seems to know what he's doing, the Foundation of Hearts is still in charge. What's to lose? Let's enjoy the ride. At least it'll be I voted against his investment, but now he's here we need to use all his expertise and resources. I am keen it's Derek McInnes and not Bloom or Andrew McKinlay that has the last word on transfer The money itself isn't a game-changer, as that would take higher sums fed in consistently. What we can gain will depend on what doors Bloom will open for us and what resources he will be minded to send our way. If he puts little energy into it we'll just keep doing what we've been doing and keep getting what we've been getting. If he's driven to improve our thinking and actions as a club then it's really him who could say what that direction is. But change involves letting some things go too, we might have to be prepared for Potentially a game-changer for us and Scottish football. I'm excited but will temper my expectations over a five-year period before we are realistically and consistently disrupting the Old Firm.
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
Tony Bloom: I'm here to disrupt Scottish game and take on Old Firm
The Brighton & Hove Albion chairman, Tony Bloom, has spoken publicly for the first time about his £10million investment in Hearts and his intention to 'disrupt' Scottish football. Months of negotiations were completed when Hearts' members approved Bloom's plan to buy into the Edinburgh club via a 29 per cent stake of non-voting shares. The deal means there is no dilution of voting power for the fans' group and majority shareholder The Foundation of Hearts (FoH). Bloom's long-term right-hand man, James Franks, will become a director to represent him on the board. Bloom's £9.86million investment is a sum equal to about half of Hearts' annual turnover and amounts to a third significant source of additional income after the funds raised by the FoH's 8,000 monthly pledgers and by the annual multimillion-pound injections from the club director and benefactor James Anderson. Hearts also have about 15,500 season-ticket holders.
