There was no shortage of talking points at Hearts’ 118th AGM at Tynecastle as fans packed out the Gorgie suite.
Ann Budge and CEO Andrew McKinlay were among those who addressed shareholders and discussed the team’s woeful league form and the exciting new link up with Jamestown analytics. It’s been a largely disappointing season to date on the field domestically with the Gorgie club occupying bottom spot in the Premiership with just 10 points from 15 games.
Top striker Lawrence Shankland has also been out of sorts with his scoring record night and day from his first two seasons in the capital. His contract has been discussed heavily in the past 12 months with the Scotland international entering the final six months and ultimately crunch time in a matter of weeks. That coincides with the January transfer window opening and Hearts are ready to do business with plans to fund Neil Critchley for incomings.
Jamestown
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay spoke about the club’s new link up with Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s analytics company Jamestown. He said ‘to say I was blown away was an understatement’ when he first met Jamestown representatives in London for the first time.
And despite the team propping up the league table he is adamant that the data tools can take Hearts to the ‘next level’ by challenging the Old Firm at the summit. McKinlay insists linking up with Jamestown could be ‘game-changing’.
The Hearts CEO cited Brighton’s success under Bloom and also mentioned Liverpool and US baseball team Boston Red Sox – who also both heavily rely on similar analytics programmes.
Tony Bloom keen to become minority shareholder?
Hearts chair Ann Budge confirmed that Tony Bloom has expressed an interest to invest in the club and become a minority shareholder. Discussions with the English businessman are ongoing with suggestions he could plough in £10million.
Budge admitted it was key for clubs to source external investment with cash flow continuing to be challenging for teams across the board.
January transfer window
McKinlay admitted Hearts are set to add new faces in January as they attempt to remedy their scoring woes.
With Lawrence Shankland out of form, putting the ball in the next has been a huge problem for the Gorgie outfit.
And McKinlay said they are looking at plans to make funding available for boss Neil Critchley at the start of the year.
Woeful league form
McKinlay addressed the team’s current position and told shareholders that languishing at the Premiership basement was’ unacceptable’. He also admitted that they must go on a winning run, particular during a hectic festive period.
McKinlay said there are encouraging signs under new boss Neil Critchley in the dugout, saying: “I think we can see progress, a clearer style of play which just needs to be finished off with more goals.”
Lawrence Shankland contract
McKinlay admitted that Hearts would be willing to reopen contract talks with Lawrence Shankland if his agents are keen to speak. The two parties have been at a stand off since the Scotland striker turned down two offers last January.
Shankland effectively admitted in a recent interview that he would be leaving this summer and McKinlay expects him to run his deal down.
Donations
Hearts bean counter Jacqui Duncan highlighted the club’s financial standing with a series of slides.
And she brought up a graph that showed that Hearts have benefitted from donations amounting to a staggering £45.7million since they came out of administration in 2014.
£16.2m of that has come from the fans group the Foundation of Hearts, while £29.5m has been handed over from generous benefactors – including board member James Anderson.