Anger Management

 

Hearts supporters don’t need anyone to tell them this has been a very difficult season. What was left of a flimsy metaphorical roof – the League Cup semi-final last weekend – fell in on a blustery Sunday afternoon at Easter Road, of all places, as Hearts let slip the chance of reaching a major cup final by conceding an injury time equaliser to nine man Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Inevitably, the Caley Jags held out during the 30 minutes of extra time and won through to their first national cup final by way of winning the penalty shoot-out.

For some Hearts supporters, this was too much to take. As I trudged my way to the exit of the East Stand, I watched as the crestfallen young Hearts players struggled to pick themselves up from the ground, where they had slumped moments earlier, heads in hands. They turned towards the Hearts support who had given them so much encouragement, not just that afternoon, but throughout the season. As they have done after every game these past few difficult months, the young Hearts players applauded those supporters. However, while some of the Maroon Army applauded back, it has to be said the majority didn’t. One punter edging his way down the steps behind me muttered ‘I’m no’ clapping that shower’.

I have to say my own applause was very much muted. This wasn’t a slight on the Hearts players who gave their all but rather the fact my heart, if you’ll pardon the pun, had been wrenched from my insides. At least that’s what it felt like for me and thousands of others.

It was a feeling akin to the all too frequent ‘near misses’ Hearts had under the tutelage of Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine in the 1980s. While that semi-final defeat at Easter Road could scarcely compare with the devastation felt by those of us at Dens Park, Dundee on the last day of season 1985/86, when two late goals by Albert Kidd Esquire snatched the league championship from Hearts hands, the feeling three weeks ago was akin to the Scottish Cup semi-finals of 1987 and 1988.

In ’87, Hearts were hot favourites to defeat St. Mirren at Hampden and fancy their chances of landing much yearned for silverware against Dundee United in the final. In one of many slaps in the face suffered during that era, Hearts lost 2-1. My journey back from Mount Florida to Aberdeen where I was staying at the time was long and not a little tortuous.

A year later, Hearts were back at Hampden, this time facing Celtic in the last four. This was the Hoops centenary season but a Brian Whittaker goal looked to have put the Maroons into the final, with Hearts leading 1-0 with just two minutes remaining. Then, in the space of 120 seconds, Hearts keeper Henry Smith dropped a couple of crosses, Celtic scored twice and Hearts dream was over for another year. Devastation seemed to be a constant companion of Hearts at that time – and that just wasn’t acceptable in the eighties…

What is inescapable is that being a Hearts supporter is tough. Of course, we have seen our team lift three Scottish Cups in the intervening years, and the 5-1 hammering of Hibernian less than two years ago will be remembered as one of the greatest Scottish Cup finals of all time, and arguably one of Hearts greatest achievements. Some of the Hearts support at Easter Road three weeks ago vented their anger at witnessing their team failing to beat a team of nine men. Those of us who witnessed the heart-breaking events of 1986, 87, 88 and all the other years when Hearts let glory slip (don’t get me started on the two Airdrieonians Scottish Cup semis in the 1990s) merely rubbed our furrowed brows and headed for home with a philosophical sigh of ‘we’ve seen it all before’.

Of course, people who part with hard-earned cash to see their team are entitled to their opinion. Three decades ago, before the internet, these opinions were debated in pubs and clubs with the more articulated ones put in print by the burgeoning fanzine scene. Now, with social media available at our fingertips wherever we go, fans can log straight on to the likes of Twitter and Facebook as well as fans forum websites to vent their spleen. The written abuse some of the Hearts players took, particularly Jamie Hamill, was, to be frank, bang out of order. You won’t get a more committed player in a maroon jersey than Jamie and it’s worth remembering the former Killie player took a pay cut to remain a Tynecastle last summer. This on a weekend when Celtic manager Neil Lennon was subjected to abuse from fans during the other semi-final at Tynecastle.

Yes, it’s been a disappointing year. Yes, it looks like Hearts will be playing in the Championship next season. However, the swings and roundabouts of outrageous fortune are what being a Hearts fan is all about. It makes us who we are. As if to prove the point, 24 hours after the Easter Road calamity, news broke that Hearts are hopeful of exiting administration by the end of the season.

Next season will be a fresh start for us all. Trust me, Heart of Midlothian will be back before long – ready to challenge again!