Hearts won't be board stupid in this title race

Hartley backs Del's Jambos to go distance in the title race as class of 2025 don't have Vlad to rock the boat like Burley's boys did

- BY SCOTT BURNS

PAUL HARTLEY has backed Hearts to go the distance in the Premiership title race under Derek McInnes.

The Jambos, who face Falkirk this weekend, are only behind leaders Celtic on goal difference after making an unbeaten start to their league campaign.

That has drawn comparison to 2005-06 when the Jambos made a long unbeaten start under George Burley, before he walked out on the table-toppers after a difference of opinion with controversial then-owner Vladmir Romanov.

Hartley sees similarities between his Hearts team and the current squad but this time McInnes knows he will have the support and backing from above that Burley didn't get.

The ex-Hearts captain, now Cove Rangers manager, said: "There are definite similarities but what I would say is there looks to be a lot more stability in the Hearts boardroom than there was 20 years ago.