By Ben Banks

Copyright scotsman

Hearts are heading into a break on one major high after victory over Rangers last Saturday. Two goals from Lawrence Shankland moved the Jambos nine clear of their foes at Ibrox with a 2-0 Premiership success, fuelling debate that minority investor Tony Bloom’s hopes for a second place finish this term could come true. Out of the Premier Sports Cup, Hearts are not in action until September 27th when Falkirk come to Gorgie, currently joint top with Celtic. There may be no competitive Hearts game this weekend following on from success versus Rangers but there’s still plenty of talking points and headlines surrounding Derek McInnes’ men. Here are some of them. It was an emotional night for former Jambo Aaron Hickey, as he scored a belting Brentford goal during their 1-1 Carabao Cup draw with Aston Villa. The Bees would go on to win the tie on penalties, a volleyed effort into the top corner and his first in their colours after struggling with a long term injury. Head coach Keith Andrews said on Hickey: “He’s a talented player and to score a goal of that quality was special for him. We started the game a little bit tepidly – I thought they dictated the tone of the game in the first 10 minutes. “We mentioned the steps we wanted to take as a group, compared to a few weeks ago when we played against them here, when we were forced low; that was really early days for us as a group. Even though we made a lot of changes tonight, I feel as though we’re growing as a group, we’re taking steps, in terms of what we do with the ball, and we’re definitely getting there.” 1998 Scottish Cup winner Paul Ritchie believes Hearts are positioning themselves well to pounce on Old Firm misfortune. Celtic fans protested against their board amid a poor transfer window at their win versus Kilmarnock, with Rangers fans far from happy with the direction of travel under head coach Russell Martin. Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics software is something Ritchie now feels gives his ex side an added edge in the transfer market. He is quoted in the Daily Record: “The players they’ve brought in look the real deal. Guys like Jamestown have taken football to a different level with data and how they see things. In the past, Rangers and Celtic have bought the best players available. Now with Jamestown, Hearts are finding the best players that are available, cheap and under the radar of the normal scouts. It gives us a real possibility to compete with Rangers and Celtic. It’s exciting times to be a Hearts fan just now. The pieces are falling into place. “In Derek McInnes, they’ve got someone who knows the league very well, who’s got a great desire to be successful. And with the backing they have and players they are bringing in, it seems to be a perfect storm just now. It’s the start of the season but there’s no reason why they can’t be in the top three this year and, you never know, split the Old Firm. Rangers are having their own problems and Hearts have given themselves a fantastic opportunity to go after the both of them. We know it’s going to be difficult. Celtic and Rangers have the finances that, come January, they can buy again – but if they don’t get that right then you never know where Hearts can be. Former Jambos and Light Blues midfielder Andy Halliday reckons the door is open for Hearts to leapfrog Rangers this season. He admits the weekend’s game made him realise for the first time that it’s a distinct possibility. The Motherwell man said: “We’re now 12 games into Russell Martin’s tenure, and not only have results been poor, the performances are so alarming. “The first half (against Hearts) Rangers could not get out their half. It was so comfortable for Hearts. I’ve never bought into the idea someone could split the Old Firm. Last year it was Aberdeen winning 11 straight games. I now think you are looking at ‘can Rangers finish outside the top two? Can Hearts maintain their form and can Hibs pick it back up?’ Because the performance levels as well as the results, I’m not seeing any signs of improvement at all.”