Splitting Celtic and Rangers the dream for Hearts but Frankie McAvoy insists wrestling third back is the ultimate target

Frankie McAvoy reckons Celtic and Rangers are good enough and big enough to compete in the English Premier League. But that won’t stop the newly installed Hearts head coach trying to split Glasgow’s big two while he’s at Tynecastle and they’re in the Scottish Premiership.

McAvoy took a break from the searing sunshine on the Jam Tarts’ pre-season training camp in Marbella yesterday to speak to the Press for the first time since being confirmed as the new man in charge. And it’s clear the 55-year-old former Preston North End boss won’t shy away from the heat of the battle. He’ll work closely with Steven Naismith and Gordon Forrest - the trio who took charge for the final seven games of last season - but McAvoy was adamant he’ll have the final say on team selection when the top flight resumes in just over a month’s time.

His aims are clear. To try and win every time they step on the park. To play attacking football. To qualify for the Europa Conference League group stages. And to wrestle back third spot from Aberdeen.. if not go one better.

Asked if third was the target McAvoy admitted the pain of relinquishing that spot to the Dons last season still hurts. And he said: “Ultimately that’s where we want to try and be. If we’re good enough to try and split the big two in Glasgow then that would be fantastic.

“Listen, I’m not stupid enough to sit here and not realise the size of the task. Celtic with the new manager, Michael Beale with a rebuilding process at Rangers, It’s going to be tough. But we are looking forward to it and hopefully we can come up trumps.

“I think the Scottish game has improved. We have a lot of good young players. I might get shot down for saying this but I think the Old Firm could compete in the Premier