Tony Bloom’s Hearts endgame is to win the Premiership as Celtic and Rangers told when they should be ‘worried’.

An ally of the Brighton owners has revealed his long-term plans following his Tynecastle investment.

Adam Virgo washed his club kit at home and lost out to university students for a parking spot before training. This was the life of a Brighton captain before Tony Bloom took charge.

So, when Bloom sat him down to describe preparations for the Seagulls’ promotion to the Premier League’s upper echelons, Virgo admits he thought the concept was completely absurd. That 2009 conversation, however, was only a preview of Bloom’s brilliant ascension of his beloved Brighton from League One to European football.

It’s little surprise that former Celtic defender Virgo warns against discounting Bloom’s claim of disturbing Old Firm dominance with Hearts. The millionaire bettor owns a 29% investment in Jambos, has trusted consultant James Franks on the board, and his famed Jamestown Analytics is helping with recruitment.

Virgo believes that all of this points to Hearts establishing a genuine title threat in the coming years, even if they are hesitant to believe it. He said: “Tony’s aim for Brighton was to compete at the top of the Premier League. “When he spoke to us, I received the impression that he was angry.

“We played at Withdean, the athletics stadium. But he referenced plans for what’s now the Amex.

“He wanted Brighton to have the best training facilities in the country. “Go there now, and you’ll see cutting-edge technology.

But back then, I thought, ‘Yeah, excellent one!’ “Keep in mind that when we had this talk, I was sharing a gym and canteen with Sussex University students and couldn’t locate a parking space for my car. I’d stroll into the gym area, and reception would ask, ‘Who are you?’ I’d have to explain that I was the club’s captain!

“When we couldn’t train on the pitch due to a university game, we resorted to public parks. “I couldn’t see things moving as quickly as Tony desired. “But he’s done it in many areas of business, including betting, horse racing, and now football.

“When he decides to do something, he will make it apparent. That makes this an exciting period for Hearts.” Virgo believes Bloom will pay close attention to even the slightest things in order to obtain an advantage.

He claimed: “Tony contacted me one night and said, ‘Adam, I’m taking over the club,’ but didn’t go into much detail. “He wanted to meet with myself and (vice-captain) Nicky Forster.

We met down for coffee, and he wanted to know EVERY detail about our justifications for our performances.

“In today’s football world, these may seem like small details. “But every day, we would go home and wash our kit. We never had a pre-match dinner, and it went on and on.

Nicky and I rhymed them off. “Tony repaired everything. A catering business came in, we ate breakfast, and then went to the gym where food was prepared for us before heading to a home game. “Small details made a huge difference from a players’ perspective.” Before and after leaving the team, Virgo had a strong personal and business relationship with poker player Bloom.

That means he’s witnessed the 55-year-old operate with genuine, engaging style as well as his cutthroat business best.

Virgo stated: “Tony’s ultimate goal is to win the Scottish Premiership.” “Celtic and Rangers have won every league since 1985, making it difficult for him to say that. But look at Brighton, where he wants to solidify the club’s position in the top six.

“Once they made it to the Premier League, the first few years were spent just remaining there.

He then brought Chris Hughton in right immediately, which was a huge decision for a highly respected manager.

“Then he brings in Graham Potter, who he discovered after a year at Swansea and helped propel the club further up the table. “Then he goes to Sassuolo for Roberto De Zerbi, who, unless you’re a European specialist, you probably don’t know much about.

For the past season and a half, they’ve been perhaps the greatest team in the league to watch. “He then makes the largest punt of all.

Fans may think, “What the hell is going on here?” We employed a 32-year-old!

“They finish ninth with the youngest manager in Premier League history, Fabian Hurzeler! Tony isn’t scared to take a risk and try something new. “I know Tony both as a businessman and as a father, husband, and family man.” He has a good heart and is polite when you meet him.

But there’s another side where he’s had to make major decisions to transform the club and bring in the proper individuals, such as Paul Barber. Virgo anticipates that the Gorgie faithful will gravitate to Bloom’s contributions and outspoken personality.

“Tony will have put so much work into Hearts before he’d done anything,” the 42-year-old added. “He is not only a businessman, but also a man of the people. He’ll go sit in the crowd at the away end. “There is transparency.

He plans to attend meetings with supporters every few months. He’ll talk to them and explain his position on various issues. “Some chairmen do not say enough, while others say too much.

Tony has that equilibrium. I don’t think Rangers or Celtic should be worried right now. “This will almost definitely be a multi-year effort. But I’d be surprised if you didn’t see immediate improvements and results, whether in terms of football style or players sold for a reasonable price. And that’s just the start.”

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