For Heart of Midlothian, the exciting and almost unbelievable reality is this: after 66 long years, they could potentially be crowned champions of Scotland on Wednesday.
However, a significant caveat must accompany that statement. For this to become reality, Hearts need to defeat Falkirk at Tynecastle, while Celtic must lose to Motherwell at Fir Park.
Although this scenario seems unlikely to many, Hearts’ home record is outstanding, and Motherwell has already bested Celtic this season.
That victory occurred during Wilfried Nancy’s tenure, which feels like a lifetime ago.
Since then, Celtic has undergone many changes, with Martin O’Neill’s strategic guidance revitalizing the team after dark times under Nancy.
Nonetheless, Celtic is still in pursuit, aware that a single misstep against Jens Berthel Askou’s formidable side could end their title hopes.
Despite trailing Hearts by a single point, bookmakers still favor Celtic to reclaim the title. The skeptical odds-makers have mostly dismissed Hearts’ fairy tale, believing Celtic will ultimately prevail.
The mere fact that Hearts have come this far is astonishing. After 36 games and 3,240 minutes over 10 months, they have been at the top of the table since September and stand on the brink of something monumental.
In their strongest league season in four decades, they’ve faced skepticism throughout. Initially, many scoffed when Tony Bloom invested in the club and claimed they could split the Old Firm in a single season. Doubts resurfaced in December as they stumbled with four consecutive games without a win.
Critics expressed further skepticism in late spring when they lost to two teams in the bottom six and drew with Livingston, who were at that time at the foot of the Premiership.
Injuries have plagued them then as now, yet Hearts have persevered. ‘Believe’ has been the mantra echoing from Tynecastle, a philosophy instilled by manager Derek McInnes.
Fans Want Hope but Fear Heartbreak
On Monday afternoon, the Tynecastle Arms, the historic pub located near the stadium, was subdued. It serves as both a watering hole and a unique museum.
Inside, a pair of boots encased in glass (reportedly John Robertson’s first) and a plaque celebrating the 5-1 Scottish Cup final triumph against Hibs remind visitors of triumphs past. The walls boast photographs that capture glorious moments throughout history.
Will there be more contemporary memories to add to that collection? Those gathered with pints in hand were uncertain. They wished to believe yes, yet hesitated to raise their hopes too high.
They are haunted by the fear of heartbreak. Many carry memories of past disappointments. Some recall the last day at Dens Park in 1986 when a dream dissolved into their worst nightmare.
One patron’s father was there in 1965 when they faced another bitter disappointment. The trauma has echoed through generations.
“After that day in 1986, I felt lost,” recounted Mark, remembering how the league title slipped through their fingers after a defeat to Dundee. “I can vividly recall the goals that cost us and the overwhelming desire to leave the scene as quickly as possible. I walked for what felt like forever to catch the bus, seeing grown men in tears being consoled by their children along the way. That image remains etched in my memory.”
Mark wants to believe in the possibility of a triumphant finish. However, recent events at Fir Park have shaken him and many other fans in maroon.
With the score level at 1-1, Hearts’ Alexandros Kyziridis went down after being allegedly fouled by Tawanda Maswanhise. Referee Steven McLean did not award a penalty, and although VAR requested a review, he upheld his decision, much to the anger and disbelief of Hearts supporters everywhere. McInnes later stated that Willie Collum, the head of referees, acknowledged an error was made.
There are no suitable words to express the feelings of those at the Tynecastle Arms in response. Let’s just say they were far from pleased.
Many are not fully convinced that the playing field is equitable when a side from the east threatens to overshadow a giant from the west. The sentiments echo the sentiments of Alex Ferguson’s rants about west-coast bias in the 1980s, but amplified significantly.
Gorgie Road’s Global Rise
Celtic may ultimately thwart Hearts’ dream, yet the journey has lasted far longer than many expected, creating a captivating narrative.
Initially, interest from outside was small, with some media outlets in England and Ireland curious about Hearts’ strong start, victories against the Old Firm, Tony Bloom’s investment, and the intriguing Jamestown Analytics and Radio Braga ventures.
However, as Rangers and Celtic struggled under ineffective management from Russell Martin and Nancy, interest surged.
Then, inquiries poured in from France, Germany, Portugal, and Spain, along with interest from Austria and Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Newspapers, magazines, radio shows, television channels, and podcasts sought to spotlight the underdog threatening to disrupt the longstanding dominance of Scottish football.
As Hearts continued their impressive run, what began as a trickle of interest became a deluge. Now, media outlets such as Bloomberg and ESPN from the United States were reaching out, along with Revista Balompie from Mexico, Radio Vitoria from Brazil, and the Financial Review from Australia.
Requests began coming in from as far as Uganda, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria. The boys from Gorgie Road have truly captured global attention.
The magnitude of their challenge has astounded many. It’s been 60 years since they last claimed the league title and 41 years since a team other than the two Glaswegian giants won it.
Celtic and Rangers have secured 55 titles each, while no other team has more than four. A staggering 85% of all league titles have gone to the Old Firm. Could this dominant narrative be rewritten? Is it really happening?
A year ago, Hearts finished seventh, trailing Celtic by a whopping 42 points.
International media feasted on the story of the haves versus the have-nots. Hearts have around 15,500 season ticket holders compared to Rangers’ 45,000 and Celtic’s 53,000.
In their two decades of European competition, Celtic has generated approximately £370m-£420m, while Rangers has made between £235m-£270m. In contrast, Hearts has reported around £25m in revenue, with their latest turnover at £24m, a mere fraction compared to Rangers’ £94m and Celtic’s £143m.
Few believed a day would come when the Old Firm could be caught, and throughout the season, fans have speculated endlessly about it. Would Hearts clinch the league? Or would Celtic or Rangers overtake them?
With only two matches left, one fact remains evident—Rangers are out of contention. They have suffered significant blows from Motherwell, underscored by a painful defeat to Hearts, followed by a loss to Celtic on Sunday.
As they have been for most of this season, Hearts sit at the top of the league, just one point ahead of Celtic and with a goal difference three goals better.
They have achieved dramatic victories late in matches, securing wins in the 86th, 87th, 88th minutes, and have triumphed three times in stoppage time. They’ve also outperformed the Old Firm in four consecutive meetings, marking a historic accomplishment.
They’ve beaten Celtic, Rangers, and Hibs both home and away, a testament to their remarkable season. They’ve maintained their position at the top of the table through Christmas—a rare feat for any club outside the giants.
Currently, they stand at 77 points, the most ever earned by any non-Old Firm team in Premiership history. They have set new records and challenged the established order in Scotland, instilling fear in their more illustrious rivals.
Wednesday could mark the peak of an extraordinary journey, yet it could also come this Saturday, or perhaps not at all.
So much has been achieved, yet far more remains to be done on the path to immortality.