Hearts chief 'confident' of top six finish despite slow start

Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay spoke to the media after the club's AGM

Chief executive Andrew McKinlay is adamant that Hearts will soon move off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership and will end the season in the top six.

Having taken just 10 points from their first 15 league matches, the Edinburgh side trail sixth-placed St Mirren by eight points.

When asked about the prospect of relegation following the Tynecastle club's annual general meeting, McKinlay replied: "I am not even using that word. I am confident we will finish in the top six.

"When you look at the league, it's very tight. With the fixtures we have coming up, I think we have an opportunity to get up the table.

"First get ourselves into the top six and we will see what's before us at that point."

Hearts, who finished third last term, sacked Steven Naismith as head coach in September following a run of eight successive defeats.

His replacement, Neil Critchley, has won three of 10 matches in all competitions and has been told funds will be made available to strengthen the squad in January.

Out of contract in the summer, captain Lawrence Shankland will be free to talk to other clubs next month.

McKinlay said he had "no idea" if the Scotland striker would be sold, adding: "I've put it on record that my gut has always been that he'll run down his contract."

Bloom talks continue & future title hopes

McKinlay confirmed that talks continue with Tony Bloom about investment and reiterated his belief that the recent tie up with the Brighton owner's Jamestown Analytics will be "game changing".

He described the partnership as a "genuine opportunity to compete with the teams above us in Scotland".

McKinlay added: "I was criticised for showing a lack of ambition when I came in for saying I wanted to get back to being the third best team in Scotland.

"The reason for saying that is, with the financial disparity, it's almost impossible. Same way as Celtic have in the Champions League, we all have our level and it tends to follow financials.

"Genuinely, and I know it's not going to happen overnight, but using [Jamestown Analytics'] technology and our finances wisely, I think we can challenge in Scotland."

Asked if that meant he thinks Hearts could one day mount a serious tilt at the title, he said. "I do. I am not going to put a timescale on it.

"Jamestown have put their money where their mouth is in the way they construct their contracts. They are highly incentivised for us to do well and they are very excited about what we can achieve."