6 Hearts AGM takeaways as Tony Bloom investment, £45.7million loans staggers crowd and January transfers top agenda

There was no shortage of talking points at Hearts’ 118th AGM at Tynecastle as fans packed out the Gorgie suite.

Ann Budge and CEO Andrew McKinlay were among those who addressed shareholders and discussed the team’s woeful league form and the exciting new link up with Jamestown analytics. It's been a largely disappointing season to date on the field domestically with the Gorgie club occupying bottom spot in the Premiership with just 10 points from 15 games.

Top striker Lawrence Shankland has also been out of sorts with his scoring record night and day from his first two seasons in the capital. His contract has been discussed heavily in the past 12 months with the Scotland international entering the final six months and ultimately crunch time in a matter of weeks. That coincides with the January transfer window opening and Hearts are ready to do business with plans to fund Neil Critchley for incomings.

Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay spoke about the club’s new link up with Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s analytics company Jamestown. He said ‘to say I was blown away was an understatement’ when he first met Jamestown representatives in London for the first time.

And despite the team propping up the league table he is adamant that the data tools can take Hearts to the ‘next level’ by challenging the Old Firm at the summit. McKinlay insists linking up with Jamestown could be ‘game-changing’.

The Hearts CEO cited Brighton’s success under Bloom and also mentioned Liverpool and US baseball team Boston Red Sox - who also both heavily rely on similar analytics programmes.

Hearts chair Ann Budge confirmed that Tony Bloom has expressed an interest to invest in the club and become a minority shareholder. Discussions with the English