Neil Doncaster sees what’s ‘refreshing’ about Hearts with Tony Bloom as Hibs used in Scottish football defence
Neil Doncaster sees what’s ‘refreshing’ about Hearts with Tony Bloom as Hibs used in Scottish football defence.
The SPFL’s chief executive has been talking Hibs and Hearts, with Tony Bloom by his side.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has used Hibs to defend Scottish football, explaining why Tony Bloom’s Hearts investment can improve the playing field.
The Jambos are entering a new era with Derek McInnes as head coach, backed by Brighton owner Bloom’s minority investment, Jamestown Analytics software, and a big ambition to win the Premiership within a decade.
Hibs, meanwhile, finished third in the league last season and are currently locked in a two-legged Conference League play-off with Legia Warsaw, trailing 2-1 after the first leg at Easter Road.
With the season now underway, league chief Doncaster has praised both sides of Edinburgh.
In an interview with The Price of Football podcast, host Kevin Day asked Doncaster questions from listeners, one of which made no mention of any clubs but strongly hinted at Celtic’s Champions League success in recent seasons. Day put it this way:
“What is your view of the Champions League money making the Premiership a one team league, that is often won before a ball is kicked?”
Neil Doncaster uses Hibs to defend Scottish football
Doncaster answered by using Hibs in his defence of competition within Scottish football, noting the club’s SWPL title win in the women’s game and continued participation in Europe for Gray’s side He said: “I think it’s worth recalling right at the start that the current Scottish Cup champions are Aberdeen and not one of those two clubs.
“We still have four clubs in Europe this season. In the Scottish Women’s Premier League we have had four different league winners in the last four seasons, with Hibernian the current league champions. There is a bit more competition in Scottish football than perhaps some give it credit for, but there is no doubt that the Champions League money does really distort domestic leagues.
“I think that’s the case, as you say, around Europe. And it’s an issue. So, you know, with the vast sums of money available in the Club World Cup, those leagues face further distortion and further imbalance.
So, I do agree with Richard Masters (Premier League chief executive) when he says it’s absolutely vital that leagues are at the table when it comes to discussing the scheduling of the Club World Cup in the future.
Neil Doncaster on Hearts with Tony Bloom influence
“So no, that distortion, I’m afraid, that polarisation of wealth, it’s a factor in Scotland, but it’s absolutely a factor across most of Europe.” Doncaster went on to say that this is why Bloom’s investment is so exciting:
it has the potential to help break the norm that has become ingrained in Scottish football.
He went on to say, “That’s why it’s so refreshing to see people like Tony Bloom, who has recently invested in Hearts.”
“He has expressed an open desire to challenge some of the dominance that has been demonstrated by Scotland’s largest clubs over the last 30 years. So let’s see if that happens.
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