Former Hearts forward Kevin Kyle believes the Tynecastle club have a strong enough squad in place to be challenging Rangers for second place in the Premiership table – despite their “horrendous” start to the campaign.
Jambos boss Steven Naismith has lost six and drawn one of their first seven games in all competitions, with his side’s only point gained in the opening day goalless draw with Philippe Clement’s side in Gorgie. They take on Celtic this Saturday afternoon.
Kyle, who played for Hearts between 2010 and 2012 before spending the 2012/13 season at Rangers when they were in SPFL League Two, has voiced his support for Hearts to overcome their current run of poor form. Now 43, he believes that the capital club should consistently aim for a third-place finish as a minimum each season and, when the opportunity arises, challenge Glasgow’s big two—Celtic and Rangers. Reflecting on Rangers’ own challenging start to the season, Kyle feels this could be Hearts’ best opportunity in years to disrupt the dominance of the Old Firm and secure a higher finish.
In a recent interview with STV, Kyle expressed concern about Hearts’ disappointing form, recalling that he attended their opening game of the season against Rangers. He felt that Hearts performed well in that match but failed to maintain that level in subsequent games, potentially due to the added pressure of European fixtures or the process of integrating new players into the squad. While some fans have voiced their frustrations and pressure is mounting on manager Steven Naismith, Kyle remains optimistic that the team can turn things around, pointing out that a similar dip in form last season didn’t stop Hearts from finishing third.
Kyle also acknowledged that while some supporters are skeptical of Naismith, much like they were with former manager Robbie Neilson, fan opinions should be considered but not always followed, emphasizing the need for a broader perspective. Ultimately, Kyle believes Hearts should be winning games and consistently securing third place, with a view toward closing the gap on Celtic and Rangers whenever possible. Given Rangers’ current struggles, he sees no reason why Hearts shouldn’t be aiming higher this season.
While admitting that the team’s poor start has increased pressure on the club, Kyle hopes that Naismith will be given time to develop as a young manager. He acknowledges that transitioning from player to coach isn’t always straightforward, but if Naismith starts delivering results, he’ll be fine. If not, Kyle concedes that the Hearts board may be forced to make a tough decision regarding his future.
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