By Ryan McDonald

Copyright dailyrecord

Hearts may have stormed nine points clear of crisis-hit Rangers after cruising to victory at Ibrox last weekend. But Gordon Dalziel is adamant the high-flying Jambos have NO chance of splitting Glasgow’s big two this season. Derek McInnes’ rampant side are level on points with champions Celtic at the top of the league after four wins from five. Ambitious Tynecastle investor Tony Bloom is convinced the Edinburgh club can end the Old Firm’s dominance and win the title in the next decade. And while Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are heavy favourites to clinch five-in-a-row, Hearts fans believe second place is a more than realistic target this term. However, after watching Aberdeen fall off a cliff following a blistering start last campaign, Dalziel reckons Gers will eventually get their act together – under a new manager. Asked if Hearts could split Celtic and Rangers this year, Dalziel told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “No chance. Not over the course and distance of a season. “Hearts have started brilliantly and I think they have a very, very good squad and an experienced manager in there. “I think Rangers will eventually pull the trigger on Russell Martin. I think someone will eventually get them going. It’s a long season. Injuries, suspensions and everything to go with it. “Look, I would love nothing better than a team up there [to split the Old Firm]. People were getting carried away with Aberdeen’s start last season. “It was the same, Aberdeen supporters were saying, ‘We can split the Old Firm, we can win the league’. Look where Aberdeen ended up. “Now, I’m not saying Hearts will be the same because I think Hearts are a lot stronger and have a lot of quality. But I think over the piece, and it will be a long season, I think Rangers will still get up there.” Dalziel’s view wasn’t shared by ex-Celtic and Hibs midfielder Dylan McGeouch, who countered: “I think any other season, I would agree with Gordon. But I think the difference for me at Hearts this year is McInnes. “There’s a feel-good factor, the fans are all on board, the players, you see the last minute goals – they’ve got a bit of everything. “I think he’s the difference. He’s done it before. He’s split the Old Firm before with Aberdeen. “So I think if there was going to be a manager and a club that were going to do it this year, it probably looks like Hearts are going to be the one to split them up.”