EDINBURGH, Scotland — In Edinburgh, it’s a tradition to spit on the Heart of Midlothian as you walk past. Located among the cobblestones outside St. Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile, just a short distance from Edinburgh Castle, this act is believed to bring good luck. Expect to see more saliva than usual on the pavement as fans gear up for this weekend’s significant event.
The Heart of Midlothian football club is on the brink of securing the Scottish top-flight title for the first time in 66 years. It’s a feat not accomplished by any team besides Celtic or Rangers in over 40 years, the last being Aberdeen under Alex Ferguson in 1985 before he departed for Manchester United.
Hearts, having led the table since September, only need to secure a draw against second-placed Celtic – who are just one point behind – to make history. As the final match of the Scottish Premiership season approaches at Celtic Park on Saturday, supporters are expected to gather at the Heart of Midlothian mosaic in the city center to seek some added fortune.
A title victory after so many years is tantalizingly close.
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– The hopes and fears of Hearts fans
For a brief moment on Wednesday night, as Hearts led against Falkirk and Celtic was trailing at Motherwell, the possibility of being champions seemed real, with only one game left in the season. As news of goals from Frankie Kent and Cameron Devlin flowed in, emotions ran high at Tynecastle, where supporters were moved to tears.
However, joy quickly turned to anxiety. After their decisive 3-0 victory over Falkirk, the Hearts players learned that Celtic had scored a controversial 99th-minute penalty, narrowing Hearts’ lead to just one point.
Realizing the shift in energy at Tynecastle, the stadium announcer rallied the fans, exclaiming into the chilly Edinburgh night, “Keep believing, Hearts fans! We can still do this!”
The fact that Hearts have reached this point is remarkable. To illustrate the disparities, Celtic’s total revenue last year was £143 million, while Rangers brought in £94 million. Hearts, in stark contrast, only earned £24 million. Last summer, Rangers invested nearly £40 million on new players, while Celtic spent £25 million. Hearts, meanwhile, managed a modest £4 million investment, yet they stand at the top of the Premiership table.
“We’re competing with teams that have significant advantages over us,” remarked Hearts manager Derek McInnes, the last person to disrupt the Celtic-Rangers dominance by securing second place with Aberdeen in 2018.
“When you compare the spending at Rangers and Celtic with our own, being ahead of both at this point in the season speaks volumes about our achievement,” he added.
At the season’s outset, Hearts were seen as 150-1 outsiders according to bookmakers, having finished last season 42 points adrift of Celtic. While McInnes and his squad have exceeded expectations, their success has coincided with turbulent times for both Celtic and Rangers.
Rangers dismissed Russell Martin after just 17 games, despite having appointed him only recently. Fan discontent escalated to the extent that he required a police escort from the stadium after his final game.
Celtic’s coaching drama involved parting ways with Brendan Rodgers in October, hiring former manager Martin O’Neill as a caretaker, then swiftly bringing in and subsequently dismissing Wilfried Nancy within 33 days, before reappointing O’Neill until season’s end.
This illustrates the struggles of Glasgow’s “Old Firm,” as both clubs managed to remain in the title race until recently, despite their missteps. However, Rangers’ 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park on Sunday put an end to their title ambitions while confirming Hearts’ place in the Champions League qualifiers for the first time in 20 years.
Though Celtic is experiencing struggles, they still have the chance for a league and cup double, with the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic approaching on May 26.
“We’ve already established a club record for points this season,” McInnes reflected on his impressive first-term management. “Champions League qualification is secured. Our goal now is to go one step further and win the league. We’ve battled hard against strong competition and successfully overcome Rangers. Now, we aim to do the same against Celtic.”
Yet, Hearts’ remarkable journey this season is not solely a result of their rivals’ turmoil. There is a shared belief that this is merely the beginning, positioning Hearts as a future contender in Scottish football.
A great deal of confidence in Hearts’ long-term success can be credited to Tony Bloom. The 56-year-old billionaire invested close to £10 million in June 2025, acquiring a 29% stake from The Foundation of Hearts, which had previously saved the club from administration in 2014.
However, its not just Bloom’s funding that revitalized Hearts; it’s what he brings strategically. Bloom first reached out to Hearts about potential investment in 2023, and by November 2024, the club formed a partnership with Jamestown Analytics, a data-analysis firm linked to Bloom’s sports betting consultancy, Starlizard. This collaboration aims to improve player recruitment and opposition analysis, and it’s yielded impressive results.
While the specifics of how Jamestown operates are kept under wraps, there is a track record of success. They have assisted Brighton, owned by Bloom since 2009, to consistently perform above expectations in the Premier League. Last year, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, which began utilizing Bloom’s data services after his investment in 2018, clinched their first league title in 90 years.
The goal is for Hearts, like Brighton and Union, to effectively compete with traditional powerhouses by being better positioned to identify valuable players in the transfer market.
Among their shrewd acquisitions, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis was discovered playing for Zemplin Michalovce in Slovakia. Portuguese forward Claudio Braga was brought in from the Norwegian second division for a minimal fee last summer, and after netting 17 goals in all competitions, he has been awarded the title of PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year.
Making the most of their finances is essential when contending against wealthier competitors. With Jamestown’s expertise, Hearts now believes they can maximize their budget more effectively compared to Celtic and Rangers.
“Initially, I was a bit taken aback by the suggestion of selling shares,” recounted Garry Halliday, a longtime supporter and founding member of The Foundation of Hearts. “But this turned out to be an incredible opportunity. During an event at Tynecastle, Tony Bloom took to the stage and boldly declared, ‘We’re going to win the league within the next 10 years,’ which sent the crowd into a frenzy.”
“What started as a fantasy when he first mentioned it has transformed into palpable belief as the weeks have progressed,” he added.
Finding stability and ambition after a tumultuous period in Hearts’ history is welcomed. The club faced administration in June 2013 with debts exceeding £25 million, putting them on the verge of collapse. The efforts of The Foundation of Hearts, which boasts over 8,000 members and has raised more than £20 million since 2010, made their rescue possible.
“We were mere minutes from extinction,” Halliday recalled. “We were truly on the brink. Just a few months prior, it seemed as if the club would not survive.”
Hearts have faced relegation to the Scottish second tier on two occasions in the last 12 years – once in 2014 and again in 2020 when the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, they’ve managed to rebound each time.
At the other end of the spectrum, Hearts once experienced heartbreak in October 2005, when they were atop the Premiership following 10 matches but were derailed by owner Vladimir Romanov’s controversial decision to dismiss manager George Burley. They ended the season 17 points adrift of champions Celtic.
Though that moment stung for supporters, the pain pales in comparison to an even more heartbreaking memory from 40 years ago.
In May 1986, Hearts entered the final match against Dundee needing just a draw to clinch the title. Just eight minutes from achieving that goal, they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, ending a remarkable unbeaten streak of 27 games, while Celtic took advantage to win the championship on goal difference after a 5-0 win over St. Mirren.
“I can’t even bring myself to mention the date,” Halliday stated. “Many fans carry wounds from that day, which fuels the nervous energy and disbelief around our current situation.”
Nerves aren’t just confined to the stands; Hearts’ captain and Scotland international Lawrence Shankland feels the pressure too regarding this thrilling title battle.
“Nerves are completely natural at this stage,” he acknowledged. “When you’re so close to achieving something significant, it’s expected. Everyone wants to discuss it wherever you go.”
After decades dominated by Glasgow teams, the majority of Scotland – with the exception of Hibernian, the other team in Edinburgh – is rallying behind Hearts. Even O’Neill, Celtic’s 74-year-old manager, admits that Hearts’ rise this season can only benefit Scottish football. This season, Premiership attendance is expected to surpass four million for the first time.
“From a neutral perspective, which I definitely don’t share, there’s been excitement due to Hearts challenging the top two teams, which is undoubtedly positive,” noted O’Neill.
No matter the outcome at Celtic Park on Saturday, many Hearts supporters are taking solace in the belief that this is just the beginning of their resurgence.
“We’re definitely ahead of the curve,” said Halliday. “Even if we don’t win this year, it’s merely the inception of our journey. Perhaps we’re just telling ourselves that to cushion the blow if it doesn’t pan out this season.”
“I earnestly hope we can cross the finish line. I would be absolutely heartbroken if we don’t.”
With the title and a storied 60-year legacy on the line, expect a larger than usual crowd seeking luck at the Heart of Midlothian leading up to the weekend.