Joe Savage’s ultimate ambition is to see Hearts win the Premiership title.
The Tynecastle sporting director has been in his role for 18 months now, and the Jambos have earned praise across the board for their recruitment since the former Preston North End transfer chief arrived.
Savage joined mid-way through the successful 202/21 Championship campaign and oversaw the January recruitment that helped Hearts get over the line that season.
Last summer was the big one though, as he and Robbie Neilson set about building a squad to compete in the top half of the Premiership.
They didn't just compete, however, they blew their rivals away and cruised to a third-placed finish, securing European group stage football in the process.
A Scottish Cup final defeat to Rangers meant the campaign ended on a disappointing note, but the big picture made for pleasant viewing.
The likes of Beni Baningime and Barrie McKay shone last term, while loan signings Alex Cochrane and Ellis Simms played a big part in the capital club’s success.
Third place will be the minimum target once again, while the Europa League group stages are just 180 minutes away.
To try and achieve those objectives, business has already been done to strengthen the squad.
Winger Alan Forrest has been snapped up from Livingston, while Australian defender Kye Rowles has been drafted into defence following John Souttar’s departure to Rangers.
Lewis Neilson;s contract situation at Dundee United meant Hearts were able to nip in and pick the teenage defender up on a free as well.
More additions are in the pipeline as Savage continues to negotiate deals in the background.
As for his own future, Savage is loving life at Tynecastle as he reflected on his year-and-a-half in the capital.
“You never know what's round the corner,” he told the Edinburgh Evening News. “At the moment, I'm really happy here with the club, how they treat me, the staff, the players, backing from the board and what we're trying to do,” he says.
“This has been absolutely brilliant for me. My ambition is to win. I want to win cups and I want to try to win the league. I know that sounds like I could be deluded but why would I be here otherwise?
“I'm massively ambitious and I want to see what we can do. The potential at this club is massive and I think we could really push, but we know there are two clubs in this country that are real institutions.
“They are top-level clubs and we aspire to reach them, try to compete with them, then split them and then beat them. That's the hope. As far as my future, I love it here. It's a great club with great people to work with and work for. The fans are brilliant and I'm treated well.”
It’s far from a two-man show down Gorgie way.
While Neilson and Savage lead the way, the entire backroom staff have contributed to Hearts’ recent success and the sporting director was keen to acknowledge them.
He added: “You are only as good as the staff around you and I've inherited good staff at Hearts,” admits Savage. “I didn't know Robbie and his coaches before I came here. We quickly formed a good relationship.
“The performance department – Bob McCunn, big Mikey Williams, the physios, Clare Cowan, the head of operations – I've been fortunate with all of them. I always wanted this sort of role. I believed in myself that I could do it and at the moment it has worked out as well as it could have. I've been absolutely delighted with it.”
