Glenn Whelan has seemingly outlined what Hearts‘ league ambitions for the 2019/20 season are.
The 35-year-old has joined the Jambos on a one-year deal, having helped Aston Villa win promotion to the Premier League last season.
He’s now in Gorgie to try and achieve success, and has stated that manager Craig Levein has said to him that European football is the aim.
Whelan told Hearts TV: “I’ve been successful throughout my career and this year I’m here now and I’m trying to achieve something as well. The manager’s spoken about trying to get into Europe and pushing on as high as we can.
“I’m not just up here to enjoy myself, I’m here to achieve something. I’m looking to do that with Hearts, a massive club in Scotland and in the Scottish Premiership.”
Are Hearts’ league ambitions achievable?
Whelan is seemingly hellbent on getting results at Tynecastle. That bit of winning mentality will be crucial for Hearts, given that they’ve only won four league games in 2019.
Are Levein’s European aspirations achievable though? The squad is filled with quality, but they just seem so far away from that idea right now.
They’ve started poorly. A disappointing League Cup group stage has been followed up with a defeat and a draw against Aberdeen and Ross County respectively in the league.
Hearts are short of confidence right now. Nobody seems willing to step up and try and make a difference. The only one who ever looks like doing anything is Steven Naismith when he’s fit.
Whelan’s been at the top of the football ladder so he should give Hearts a lift. There’s a negative vibe around Gorgie right now. With the likes of Whelan, Naismith, Jamie Walker and Craig Halkett at the club, the making of a very good squad is there.
It just doesn’t seem to be clicking for them. With tough tests against Celtic, Motherwell, Hibs and an away trip to St Mirren in the coming weeks, it’s not going to get any easier for the Jambos.
Hearts are going to have to work extremely hard to fulfill Levein’s league ambitions.