According to Ryan Stevenson, Hearts are no closer to upending the Celtic and Rangers monopoly in Scotland.
Reacting to remarks made by Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay, the BBC analyst spoke with the Daily Record on October 10.
With the launch of a new analytical tool, the Tynecastle manager hopes to cut the gap on the two Old Firm teams.
Says Stevenson: “If you’re sitting where Aberdeen is at the moment, it’s great to see challenges to the Old Firm in years to come.” The truth is, though, that Hearts are currently moving in one direction. Returning to the Championship now.
I recently came upon Andrew McKinlay’s newest boasting, in which he expressed optimism that Tynecastle’s new analytics platform will elevate them to a potential championship contender. And I must admit, it gave me the creeps. The CEO doesn’t seem to be aware of how serious things are at the moment.
“Listen, Brighton has done some amazing things with data and analytics. But because we currently have two points from eight league games, you cannot be discussing splitting the Old Firm at some point in the future.
“After firing Steven Naismith, McKinlay and his board ought to be entirely focused on ensuring that they make the ideal choice for the next managerial position. If not, they won’t be anywhere close to Celtic or Rangers on any supercomputer in the entire globe.
Rangers must go for a more data-driven approach
Breaking the duopoly is easier said than done as the financial disparity is immense with the Old Firm sides having larger fanbases, commercial operations and revenue streams from European competitions, which analytics alone cannot immediately bridge. The cultural legacy and fanbase size of the Old Firm provides a continuous influx of resources and talent, making it harder for clubs like Hearts to consistently attract top-tier players or managers without a substantial shift in Scottish football’s economic landscape.
However, this requires not just an investment in analytics but also a cultural shift within the club to integrate data-driven decisions into every level of operation. The Ibrox outfit has not been run optimally for years, and it is time there is a serious push towards a more data-centric approach. Rangers could improve their performance efficiency by refining their recruitment and tactical strategies by adopting a more data-driven approach.
