After experienced manager Derek McInnes was given the head coach job, captain Lawrence Shankland signed a new deal, Bloom’s investment was confirmed, and a suite of interesting signings followed, Hearts fans quickly banished the glum of last season’s seventh-place finish.
They breezed through the League Cup group stage, scoring four against Dunfermline, Dumbarton, Stirling Albion and Hamilton while conceding just once.
While that was impressive, it was hardly unexpected, but then beating Scottish Cup holders Aberdeen in their opening Premiership game added to the hype.
Sunday’s late comeback win against Dundee United continued a perfect start, which makes Bloom’s comments about splitting the Old Firm an intriguing talking point, even so early in the season.
“Tony Bloom doesn’t make statements as a throwaway comment,” former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell said on BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound programme.
“He thoroughly believes that’s where he wants to take the club and where he’s going to take the club. Hearts are already very well supported, and hopefully all this positivity goes forward.”
Adding to the belief is the impact of the new additions that have featured so far.
Portuguese striker Claudio Braga has already graduated from new signing to fan-favourite, and he is on track to be the blueprint for Bloom’s revolution.
“You would hope Hearts would bring players in like Claudio Braga, sell them on and start building a pot of money,” former Hearts defender Allan Preston said.
This approach would chime with what to expect under Bloom. Recruit wisely, sell when the stock is at its highest. Full-back James Penrice’s move to AEK Athens this summer is arguably the first Jamestown Analytics-style departure.
