36 Years of Hurt Comes to an End

                            Photo: The Scotsman

 

In July 1995 Falkirk manager Jim Jefferies stood outside Brockville Park to tell the waiting media and anxious Bairns supporters - "I'm staying at Falkirk".  The former Berwick Rangers manager had been given the opportunity to take the manager's post at Hearts and, being a former Hearts captain as well as a lifelong supporter, the temptation was keenly felt. Jefferies had worked a minor miracle at Falkirk, not only taking the club to the Premier Division but also earning a respectable mid-table position when many pundits were tipping The Bairns for relegation. But, within forty eight hours of stating his intention to stay put, Jefferies' uneasiness at turning down what may have been the opportunity of a lifetime intensified. When Hearts chairman Chris Robinson went back to try again, Jefferies changed his mind - and history was in the making.

Two years later Jefferies was beginning to make his mark at Tynecastle - but the Scottish media was obsessed with Rangers attempt to win the league championship for a record tenth season in succession. The other eight Premier Division clubs were written off even before a ball was kicked. But a new challenge was rising in the east. Hearts recovered from an opening day defeat at Ibrox to thrash Aberdeen 4-1 at Tynecastle and it was a taste of what was to come from Jim Jefferies' side. Rangers still led the way but defeat from Motherwell meant that a rapidly improving Celtic and a born again Hearts were soon snapping at their heels. The Jambos were producing highly impressive performances, particularly away from home as was evident in a 4-1 win at Motherwell and another 4-1 victory at Pittodrie.

 

At Christmas there was a three-way split at the top of the Premier Division with Celtic, Rangers and Hearts streets ahead of everyone else. When Rangers went to Tynecastle on 20 December many observers thought it would be the acid test of Hearts championship credentials. Walter Smith's side coasted to a 5-2 win and everyone waited for Hearts bubble to burst, a view reinforced on New Year’s Day when The Jambos let slip a 2-0 lead in the Edinburgh derby with Hibernian to end with a 2-2 draw. But Celtic's victory over Rangers twenty four hours later meant Hearts were still in the title race and would remain so until almost the last three weeks of the season.

 

When the Scottish Cup came around some commentators had been so impressed with Hearts displays that they thought the Tynecastle side were a good bet to take the trophy - even though it had been thirty six years since silverware last graced the west end of the capital city. The Old Firm, they reckoned, would be too involved with the championship but Jambos boss Jim Jefferies wasn't worried about that being an apparent backhanded compliment.

 

Hearts were given a home draw against Second Division Clydebank in Round Three and were somewhat fortunate to win 2-0 given that The Bankies created the better chances in the game. It was Third Division opposition in Round Four when Albion Rovers visited Edinburgh and Angolan winger Jose Quitongo inspired Hearts to a 3-0 victory before their penchant for home ties was illustrated again in the quarter finals with a 4-1 win over Ayr United. Hearts eighth semi-final appearance in the Scottish Cup in twelve years had many people believing their name was on the trophy when they avoided both the Old Firm and drew First Division Falkirk. Hearts luck in the cup held firm. Despite their poorest display of the season during which The Bairns outplayed them, Hearts emerged 3-1 victors (two goals in the last two minutes sinking their lower league opponents) and their third cup final appearance in two years beckoned.

 

Their opponents were the side that had thrashed them 5-1 in the Scottish Cup final of 1996 - Rangers. Ibrox boss Walter Smith conceded that Hearts were a much improved team from the one that capitulated two years earlier but the Govan men were still firm favourites for the trophy. More than 48,000 supporters headed for Celtic Park on a warm May afternoon to witness one of the most emotional cup finals in recent years.

Hearts: Rousset; McPherson; Naysmith; Weir; Salvatori; Ritchie; McCann; Fulton; Adam; Cameron; Flogel. Substitutes: Hamilton, Robertson; Murray.

Referee: W. Young

It was a sign of the cosmopolitan times that, of the Rangers side, only Gordon Durie and Ian Ferguson were born in Scotland (Gough was born in Stockholm while Goram and McCall were born in England of Scottish parentage). Even the Hearts side contained two Frenchman, an Italian and an Austrian.

Both sides were affected by pre-match blows. Rangers influential German, Jorg Albertz was sent off for violent conduct the previous week at Tannadice while injury ruled out Swede Jonas Thern. Hearts captain Gary Locke, who was stretchered off injured after just seven minutes during the 1996 final, missed the '98 final because of a hamstring injury and, being a Hearts daft youngster, his anguish was felt by every Hearts supporter.

 

Rangers-Hearts Scottish Cup finals have a history of having remarkable beginnings. The 1976 final between the pair began at two minutes to three, Rangers scored within 80 seconds, and so Hearts were a goal behind before the official kick-off time! Astonishingly, the 1996 final kicked off at a minute to three and Hearts lost their captain within seven minutes. The fans wondered what the 1998 final would have in store - they got their answer after just 33 seconds!

 From the kick-off Hearts stormed upfield. Stand-in captain Steve Fulton burst into the Rangers penalty box only to be halted by Ian Ferguson. Halted illegally said referee Young and he awarded a penalty to Hearts. It looked initially like the foul had been committed outside the penalty box but, tellingly, few Rangers players protested. Colin Cameron stepped up to slot the penalty kick beyond goalkeeper Andy Goram and Hearts had a sensational lead after just eighty seconds. Maroon clad supporters erupted in the Celtic Park cauldron and it was certainly a start to the match few people - even in Edinburgh - had predicted.

 

Rangers, although stung by such an early setback, responded. Rino Gattuso embarked on a powerful run from midfield, which ended with a shot, which was comfortably saved by Rousset. Then Brian Laudrup had an effort which was blocked by nineteen year old Gary Naysmith.  Hearts, however, weren't just sitting back. Despite a significant change in tactics by manager Jim Jefferies which saw the team adapt a more rigid 4-4-2 formation rather than their normal swashbuckling style of 4-3-3, the maroons were still capable of lightening raids on the break, epitomised by young Naysmith who was having an outstanding game at full back. The Scotland Under 21 star had just been named Young Player of the Year and his assured defending and attacking abilities were there for all to see at Celtic Park.

 

After half an hour Rangers Ian Ferguson - a veteran of St. Mirren's cup triumph in 1987 - was put through by Laudrup but pulled his effort wide. Then came Rangers best effort thus far. Accepting a short free kick some thirty five yards out, Lorenzo Amoruso fired in a magnificent shot which appeared to be heading for the top left hand corner of the net. But as Rangers prepared to celebrate the equaliser Hearts keeper Gilles Rousset leapt majestically to palm the ball past the post. It was a fantastic save and a defining moment. In the 1996 final, the big Frenchman let a shot slip through his fingers to give Rangers a two goal advantage from which they never looked back. It was a schoolboy error and Rousset hid his face behind his hands at the realisation at what he had done. But now, two years later, he produced one of the great stops and the twenty three thousand Hearts supporters stood to acclaim the moment. Half-time arrived with Hearts still ahead and one wondered if history was about to be made.

 

At the start of the second half Rangers replaced the unhappy Stensaas with the veteran campaigner that was Ally McCoist. It signalled an all-out attacking policy by Walter Smith and for the opening five minutes of the second period Hearts were pinned back in their own half. Within minutes McCoist received a pass from the tireless Brian Laudrup but his effort went into the side net. Urged on by captain Richard Gough -playing his last game for the Ibrox club - Rangers swept forward and one wondered if Hearts could hold out. But, on fifty three minutes, the Hearts support erupted once more. Gilles Rousset launched a long ball down field from a free-kick and it seemed that Rangers Amoruso would clear the danger. But the Italian dithered as he went to strike the ball and Frenchman Stephane Adam nipped in behind him. Taking the ball into the penalty box, Adam fired in a powerful shot which goalkeeper Goram could only parry into the net. 2-0 to Hearts and Adam ran with outstretched arms to an ecstatic Jambos support to milk the celebrations.

 

The noise from the Hearts end was deafening. Was the dream about to come true? Was thirty six years of anguish about to end? The supporters, so often kicked in the teeth by countless near misses from their side, could scarcely believe it. But there were still thirty five minutes to go. And a wounded Rangers side is when they are at their most dangerous.  Seconds later Hearts almost ended the argument when Austrian Thomas Flogel headed a Steve Fulton free-kick powerfully towards goal but his effort was well saved by Goram. But, inevitably, Rangers stormed back.

 

Ally McCoist, despite being written off by some people at 35 years of age, was proving a real handful for the youthful Hearts defence. A snap shot from the striker from just six yards out was well saved by Rousset before the former Sunderland player appeared to be fouled by Dave McPherson. Time was running out for Rangers but, with nine minutes to go, McCoist finally got the goal both he and his side deserved. Ferguson played the ball forward to Gattuso. The Italian slipped it to McCoist who drove the ball past Rousset and into the net from 18 yards.

The last few minutes of the 1998 Scottish Cup final were tense, nervous and fraught for supporters of both sides. Rangers threw everything at the Hearts defence but the Jim Jefferies’ side scented glory. But there was still time for more drama in this epic cup final. With two minutes to go, McCoist went down in the penalty box after a foul by David Weir. Referee Young immediately blew his whistle. For a moment it looked like a penalty to Rangers and Hearts hopes appeared to be cruelly dashed once more. But, after a nod from the assistant referee, Young awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box much to the disgust of McCoist. Brian Laudrup's free-kick was deflected wide and Hearts and their supporters breathed a huge sigh of relief. The period of injury time seemed to last forever. Fully four minutes stoppage time had been played when, at last, referee Young blew for the end of the match. The Hearts support roared themselves hoarse and danced for joy. Jim Jefferies almost crushed his assistant Billy Brown with a hug of delight. Hearts had won the cup for the first time since 1956 and four decades of heartbreak had come to an end.

The scenes which followed at Celtic Park were remarkable. Grown men wept and the tide of emotion that washed over those in maroon seemed almost to overpower them. Veteran striker John Robertson, a substitute but who never came on, was clearly overcome. 'Robbo' had been at the club for seventeen years but had yet to win a medal with the club he loved. Now, in his last season at Tynecastle, his dream had come true as it had for the thousands of jubilant supporters who found it difficult to comprehend just what had happened. When Steve Fulton went to collect the trophy he invited club captain Gary Locke to go up with him. The injured Locke - a dyed in the wool Hearts fan if ever there was one - didn't need to be asked twice and the two players held the cup aloft to a huge ovation from the Hearts support.

Edinburgh partied all weekend as the players paraded the cup through the streets of the famous old city and on to Tynecastle Stadium for a truly emotional homecoming. An estimated one hundred thousand people welcomed them home and Edinburgh let down its collective hair. Manager Jim Jefferies had said before the game that the players could become legends if they won the cup and there's little doubt that the Hearts support treated their heroes in a way befitting such a status.

 

It was an emotional end to an emotional season. In the last quarter of the league season Hearts championship challenge, admirable though it was, faded as the side dropped points to Motherwell, St. Johnstone and Aberdeen. The final nail in their title coffin was, ironically, driven in by city rivals Hibernian who recorded a rare win in the Edinburgh derby by 2-1 at Easter Road in April. It was, however, Hibernian's last hurrah – they were relegated at the end of the season.

 

Such upheavals meant little to those connected with Heart of Midlothian, however. It's true to say that the club had become something of a laughing stock in Scottish football as a result of their lack of success and their almost constant failure to produce the goods when it really mattered. Season 1997-98 changed all that. Throughout the season Hearts had consistently produced a sparkling brand of fluent, attacking football which delighted the purists. They had given the Old Firm the fright of their lives in the race for the league title.

 

And, after 36 years of hurt, they had finally brought silverware back to Tynecastle.  

Heartbreak For Young Hearts in Paisley

Rangers U20s 2 Hearts U20s 2 aet (Rangers win 8-7 on pens)

Scottish Youth Cup Final, Tuesday 13 May 2014 – New St. Mirren Park

Hearts season ended in heartbreak as their Under 20 team lost the final of the Scottish Youth Cup to Rangers at a sun-kissed St. Mirren Park in Paisley on Tuesday evening.

Coach Robbie Neilson – who has now been promoted to first team Head Coach by Hearts new Director of Football Craig Levein – was hoping his youngsters would round off the season with silverware but a combination of poor defending and missed chances meant the Youth Cup would not be returning to Gorgie for the first time in 14 years.

Hearts, with several players having extensive first team experience, dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead after half an hour. Great work from Calum Paterson down the right wing saw the utility man’s deep cross find the head of Sam Nicholson. The speedy winger’s header was saved by Rangers keeper Kelly but Nicholson prodded home the rebound and danced away to celebrate, much to the delight of the large travelling support from Edinburgh. 1-0 to Hearts at half-time.

Hearts began the second half in similar fashion to the way they dominated the first half and spurned a great chance to double their lead moments after the restart. Gary Oliver had an open goal from three yards out but contrived to hit the side netting. It was a missed opportunity which Hearts came to regret. After 52 minutes Rangers Pascazio’s shot from distance was deflected past Hearts keeper Jordan Millar for the equaliser and Hearts young heads were momentarily down. Not for long, though, as Billy King put Hearts ahead again just after the hour mark after a goalmouth scramble.

Despite Rangers pressure Hearts looked like holding on for a famous win. However, with just a couple of minutes left the wee Gers launched another long ball forward. It should have been dealt with by Jordan Millar but the Hearts keeper needlessly came out his goal which enabled Halkett to nod the ball home for the equaliser. There was no further scoring in the subsequent 30 minutes of extra-time which meant the dreaded penalty shoot-out to decide the destination of the trophy.

Both teams matched each other until the penalty shoot-out score reached 7-7. Then, the unfortunate Jordan Millar saw his effort saved by his Rangers counterpart and the trophy was on its short journey to Ibrox.

Rangers: Kelly, Pascazio, Sinnamon, Halkett, Gasparotto, Telfer, Stoney, Murdoch, Gallagher, Dykes, Ramsay.

Hearts: Millar, Smith, Paterson, Gordon, McGhee, Beith, King, Scott, Carrick, Oliver, Nicholson.

Referee: William Wilson

Top man: Sam Nicholson

Sandy Jardine

 

 

Sandy Jardine, a man forever associated with the rebirth of Heart of Midlothian FC in the 1980s, has died, 18 months after being diagnosed with cancer. He was 65.

Jardine was brought to Tynecastle by his close friend and then Hearts manager Alex MacDonald in 1982 and the former Rangers and Scotland defender was instrumental in shaping Hearts as a major force in Scottish football.

Many people, including those at Rangers where he had played with distinction for 17 years, thought that his best days were behind him when he moved back to his home city to join Hearts, the team he followed as a boy. However, Jardine proved everyone wrong and would be a key player for Hearts for another five years, his experience and knowledge of the game helping the development of youngsters such as Gary Mackay and John Robertson and, in particular, Craig Levein. The big Fifer who would go on to manage Hearts and Scotland, certainly had the hallmarks of Jardine at his best.

Jardine was initially assistant to MacDonald but his influence was such that then Hearts chairman Wallace Mercer appointed Jardine joint manager in 1986 – the year forever associated with heartache for Hearts as they lost the league title in the last eight minutes of season 1985/86 with a 2-0 loss at Dundee. Jardine’s major contribution to that team, which also reached the Scottish Cup final that year, was such that he was named Scotland's player of the year for the second time at the age of 37. In the aftermath of that traumatic game at Dens Park - the 28th anniversary of which is next Saturday - there were no excuses from either MacDonald or Jardine; no blaming the referee, no ranting or condemnation. They accepted what happened with dignity and that was Sandy Jardine all over.

There was a real sense of shock when Jardine left Hearts in 1988, chairman Wallace Mercer declaring that 'two hands on the tiller simply wasn't working'. Although Hearts enjoyed a decent run in the Uefa Cup during season 1988/89, it's fair to say Alex MacDonald struggled without his right hand man.

In a statement on Friday, Hearts offered their condolences to Jardine’s family saying they were deeply saddened at the death of a club legend.

The saying goes that only the good die young. Sandy Jardine epitomised everything good about football and his contribution to Hearts will never be forgotten.

Leagues Apart

This time last year Hearts supporters were looking forward to a new season that promised much. Manager Jim Jefferies had made several new signings and a draw on the opening day of the Clydesdale Bank SPL 2011/12 season at champions Rangers suggested such optimism wasn’t misplaced. However, unless you’re the seventh son of a seventh son, no one could have predicted what would happen in the twelve months since.

I watched that game at Ibrox in a pub in Dalkeith and if I had said to my mate that, one year on, Hearts would have changed manager not once but twice, would hammer Hibernian 5-1 in the William Hill Scottish Cup final and Rangers would be playing in the Irn Bru Third Division, he would have been dialling social services quicker than it would have taken me to order another round of drinks from the bar (even given the fact I was born in Aberdeen and am, therefore, naturally slow in getting the drinks in…) But it has been an incredible year…

The Rangers ‘crisis’ has dominated football headlines all summer. Hearts, to their credit, were one of the first clubs to make their views on the Rangers situation crystal clear. While others hummed and hawed, Vladimir Romanov blazed a trail and not so much put his cards on the table as decorated the walls with them. The majority of football fans in Scotland agreed with the Russian that the ‘new’ Rangers should not be permitted to take their place in the Clydesdale Bank SPL as if nothing had happened and the financial mismanagement of the old Rangers should not be swept under the Hampden carpet. Hearts, like the majority of other clubs in Scotland, have had to make big cuts in order to achieve a modicum of financial stability and a good few number of the Scottish Cup winning team have left for pastures new as the club tries to live within its means. The same thing happened to Hearts Scottish Cup winning teams of 1998 and 2006 and supporters reluctantly accept this is the way of the football world now. The days of the likes of Gary Mackay spending 17 years at the club he loved are rapidly disappearing. Players come and players go as clubs try to make ends meet - and football shouldn’t expect to be immune to the current global financial crisis.

Hearts have a crop of youngsters as good as any other club in Scotland and there were already signs in pre-season games that they are the way ahead for the Scottish Cup holders (I’ll never tire of saying that!) The 2012/13 season will be history in the making. Hearts are now the second biggest club in Scotland. This sounds alien but the demise of Rangers has created this situation. The Edinburgh derby is now the biggest derby game in Scotland (even if the Monopolies Commission are keen to investigate Hearts dominance in this fixture, keen as they are to see at least an element of competition) Leading figures in Scottish football have been prophecies of doom at the prospect of there being no Rangers in the top flight for two or three years - although I suspect league reconstruction may be pushed to the top of the agenda to ensure the Gers aren‘t away from the top table of Scottish football for too long.

Since the Scottish Football League was formed over 120 years ago, Rangers and Celtic have used their financial power to take the best Scots players away from their competitors - and complained of a lack of competition. Rangers have often spoken of their desire to play in England. Now they will have the opportunity and I’m sure their fixtures at Berwick will prove to be sell-outs…

It’s fair to say the fans, other than those of Rangers of course, are relishing a SPL without the baggage one half of the Old Firm bring and are hopeful of an all together more competitive league.

Despite the departure of some key players, I have a feeling the Hearts youngsters coming in who performed so well last season will drive the team to challenge Celtic for the SPL title. Hearts enjoyed the sweet taste of success last season after triumphing in the biggest Edinburgh Derby ever and lifting the Scottish Cup for an eighth time. The brilliant efforts of players such as the born again Darren Barr, the unbridled enthusiasm of Ryan McGowan - what a joy it is to see this laddie’s passion for playing for Hearts - the sheer commitment of Danny Grainger and Jamie Hamill and the class of Andy Webster will rub off on the youngsters who experienced the high of glory last season and will yearn for more of the same.

The Clydesdale Bank SPL may be Rangers free this season. Far from devaluing the competition, my view is season 2012/13 could be one of the most exciting and refreshing league campaigns ever.

Bring it on!

Twitter @Mike1874

Rangers Team Bus

Heart of Midlothian 0 Rangers 3

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 21 April 2012 - Tynecastle

The scene was set. Hearts had reached the William Hill Scottish Cup Final six days earlier after knocking out Celtic in a dramatic semi-final. And it was the 56th anniversary of Hearts1956 Scottish Cup winning team.

The highlights of the game are listed below.















Well, there might have been had Hearts turned up....

Rangers New Shirt Sponsor

Heart of Midlothian 0 Rangers 2

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Sunday 23 October 2011

Having seen their team dispose of Celtic three weeks ago, Hearts fans held high hopes their heroes could complete an Old Firm double at Tynecastle this afternoon. But we older Hearts supporters know only too well what happens when we get high hopes...

Hearts certainly began the game brightly and dominated the opening 20 minutes. David Templeton was in the mood to cause problems and Rangers defender Whittaker was cautioned after just ten minutes for a lunge at the winger. The hard working Ryan Stevenson had a chance to open the scoring but failed to take it and there was an inevitability about Rangers taking the lead on 20 minutes. The aforementioned Whittaker was allowed to run at length through a far too accommodating Hearts defence and the former Hibby set up Naismith who slotted the ball beyond Marian Kello. It was a lead the visitors scarcely deserved and it took the wind out of Hearts sails. Gradually, they got a head of steam once more. Stevenson got on the end of a through ball from Ian Black but he was denied by the combined effort of former Hearts player Lee Wallace and Bocanegra. The best chance, though, fell to Rudi Skacel who fired in a great effort from 20 yards which brought a brilliant save from Rangers keeper McGregor.

Hearts began the second half the same way they began the first with Templeton causing problems. On 64 minutes, Temps danced his way into the Rangers penalty box and crossed for Adrian Mrowiec. It seemed certain the Pole would score but he needed more than one touch and his effort trundled wide of the goal when it seemed easier to score. Inevitably, Rangers took full advantage and substitute Jelavic scored Rangers second when he steered home a Bocanegra cross and that was that.

Despite flashes of skill from David Templeton and the industry of Ryan Stevenson and Ian Black, it was a poor showing from the home team. Both full backs - Jamie Hamill and Danny Grainger - had days to forget while Rudi Skacel, his effort on goal apart, looked off the pace. Worryingly, Hearts look clueless up front - perhaps this is not surprising given manager Paulo Sergio's penchant for not playing any recognised centre forwards. John Sutton wasn't even on the substitute's bench today.

And, man, Hearts could have done with a presence up front.

Top man: Ryan Stevenson

Respect - Just a Little Bit?

A couple of weeks ago it seemed as if war had broken out in Scottish football. Celtic and Rangers met for what seemed like the umpteenth time this season, this time in the Scottish Cup and having drawn at Ibrox, the sides reconvened at Celtic Park for the replay. The furore during and at the end of this game tainted Scottish football further which, given the state of the game in this country, was the last thing the football authorities needed. Next weekend the Old Firm meet yet again - this time in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final at Hampden Park - and despite the nondescript nature of this competition, this may turn out to be one of the most important Old Firm fixtures in years.

The Scottish Cup debacle prompted a summit by Scotland’s First Minister, no less, and involved the chief executives of Celtic and Rangers as well as high-ranking officials from Strathclyde Police. I’m not sure quite what this achieved, particularly as Celtic’s Peter Lawell and Rangers Martin Bain were both of the opinion there was little more their clubs could do in relation to the abhorrent violence from supporters of both clubs that usually occurs in the aftermath of almost every Old Firm fixture both in the vicinity of Celtic Park/Ibrox and domestic incidents across Glasgow and beyond as mindless morons take the consequences of defeat out on those they supposedly love and cherish. However, we live in an age when politicians have to be seen to be doing something when a crisis blows, particularly when there’s an election on the horizon…

Bigotry, sectarianism and its associated hatred has been a poison that has blighted not just Scottish football but society in this country for far too many years. And, for years, the same question has been asked by far more qualified people than I - what can be done to eradicate it? Disturbingly it seems there is no definitive answer. Worse, it seems to many observers this cancer on Scots society will never be eradicated.

In the 1970s football became a convenient outlet for hooliganism not only in Scotland but also around Europe. The seeds of social change, planted in the aftermath of the Second World War, harvested the right to be heard and more freedom for all. However, some morals such as decency, tolerance and respect for others were trampled underfoot in the process and hatred became more prevalent. When black footballers first made their presence felt in the UK at this time, racism was rife and much - but not all - of the nation was rightly appalled at the abuse the players received in what was supposed to be sporting arenas. There weren’t so many black players in Scotland as there were over the border but this didn’t mean Scottish football was immune to racist abuse. The treatment of the Rangers player Mark Walters in the late 1980s was sickening but he was far from alone in being subjected to this.

Thankfully, campaigns such as Kick Racism Out of Football and Show Racism the Red Card have proved effective and, thankfully, racist abuse at football games in Scotland is rarely heard these days. With Scotland now a multi-cultural society, any purveyor of such abuse will almost certainly be pointed out to the police by decent, law-abiding fans and likely to be banned from football for life. Why, then, is sectarianism still rife in Scotland? And what can be done to try and address it?

Football showed its responsible face when it took the issue of racism full on. That remains a work in progress but few could doubt its effectiveness. Celtic, Rangers and the Scottish Football Association not only face a huge challenge in addressing sectarianism but they also have a huge responsibility. The competitive nature of football means tempers can flare at any time during a game. In most games, bust-ups between players and officials amount to little more than a few words of righteous condemnation in the press and a slap on the wrist from the football authorities. However, when it happens during Old Firm games there can be more far-reaching consequences.

At the end of the aforementioned Scottish Cup replay at Celtic Park, Celtic’s Neil Lennon and Rangers Ally McCoist squared up to each other right in front of the Sky television cameras, eager to broadcast such a confrontation around the world. We were told a couple of days later that before the evening was over Lennon and McCoist settled their differences over a bottle of beer. A pity, then, that no one thought it would be a good idea for the two men to meet publicly the following day, shake hands before a press conference, and apologise for their irresponsible behaviour. Instead, a baying press stoked the embers of their fiery joust and speculation reached fever pitch about what was said and by whom.

Celtic admitted that Neil Lennon had displayed behaviour that was not of the standard expected of a Celtic manager and he had apologised to the board of directors - although Peter Lawwell thought it wise to add ‘there were mitigating circumstances’. Across the city Martin Bain said Ally McCoist ‘was acutely aware of representing Rangers in the best possible way’ but then could not resist adding ‘he was acting in the defence of our players’

In fairness, the Old Firm have agreed on a six-point plan that came as a result of the summit chaired by the First Minister. However, I suspect I’m not the only person who thinks there is so much more Celtic and Rangers could do. How about Peter Lawwell and Martin Bain holding a joint press conference this week, in the build up to next Sunday’s cup final and both condemning bigotry and violent and abusive behaviour? Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist holding the cup together at Hampden, before a very public embrace? Each player leading out a child dressed in the opposition colours just before kick-off next Sunday? Players from both teams holding up ‘Kick Bigotry Out of Football’ cards in the same way as the Show Racism the Red card campaign?

Small things, I know. Nevertheless, respect for others and decency have to be resurrected in Scotland. For the sake of the game and society in general, there has to be a starting point somewhere.

Heart of Midlothian 1 Rangers 0

                                                                    SNS photograph


Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 22 January 2011 - Tynecastle

Hearts recent unbeaten run in the SPL meant today's game against the current champions was always going to be match of the day and Sky Television duly moved the kick-off time to lunchtime and the cameras rolled. This didn't prevent Tynecastle being close to full and the atmosphere was as fervent as ever at Scotland's most atmospheric stadium.

Ironically, Hearts played much better when Rangers last visited Gorgie back in September and snatched all three points at the death thanks to a Steven Naismith strike in the fourth minute of injury time. Today the maroons looked out of sorts. Whether it was due to the absence of the injured Kevin Kyle which meant Ryan Stevenson started the game in an unfamiliar forward role or whether it was the exertions of a tough midweek game at Kilmarnock, Hearts looked off the pace all afternoon and Rangers dominated the first half. Home keeper Marian Kello was the hero as he kept the visitors at bay with a string of fine saves. That said, it was Hearts Rudi Skacel who came closest to scoring when he drove a shot inches wide shortly before half time.

Hearts came more into the game in the second half, particularly  when David Templeton came off and was replaced by Gary Glen - this enabled Ryan Stevenson to move into his more customary position in midfield. The game became end to end stuff but just when it seemed like a goalless draw would be a decent result given the way Hearts had played, the deadlock was broken with thirteen minutes to go. Hearts Lee Wallace cut in from the left and found Skacel who went down after a challenge to loud howls of 'penalty!' The ball broke to Stevenson who steered the ball home to ensure bedlam at Tynecastle. There endeth the scoring. Hearts might consider themselves fortunate to claim all three points but in a way it was justice for the September meeting between the pair when Hearts played so well but got no reward.

Hearts are now just two points behind the champions who remain in second place in  the SPL. Jim Jefferies side are seven points behind league leaders Celtic - but have a game in hand. And Hearts head to Celtic Park next Wednesday evening. Twenty-five years ago this weekend, I was at Pittodrie to witness a rising Hearts team defeat league champions Aberdeen 1-0 thanks to a late John Colquhoun goal. That result gave everyone at Tynecastle the belief that Hearts could challenge for the title that season. A quarter of a century later dare Hearts fans believe history is about to repeat itself?

At least this season we don't have to go to Dens Park. Can someone check what Albert Kidd is doing these days...?

Rangers in the Early 1960s

And a sprinkling of talented youngsters including John Greig, Jim Baxter and Willie Henderson.

Heart of Midlothian 1 Rangers 2

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 2 October 2010 - Tynecastle

Watching Hearts-Rangers games these days is akin to watching an old film for the umpteenth time. You know what's going to happen but you just can't help but go along and hope, forlornly, for a different ending. Today at Tynecastle - there was no different ending, just the all too familiar gut-wrenching finale which those of us in maroon have sadly become accustomed to.

The match was covered live by ESPN which meant a ridiculously early kick-off time of 12 noon. Tynecastle wasn't full to bursting and I suspect the time of the kick-off may have contributed to this. Hearts began brightly as they have done in most games this season. Rudi Skacel - making his first start since his return to Gorgie - took advantage of a poor defending from Bougherra and Whittaker to prod the ball into an empty net to give Hearts an early lead. It was against the run of play but no one in the home support was caring.

Rangers had most of the play but, for once, the Hearts defence was resolute with Adrian Mrowiec immense. What a find this player is. Hearts keeper Marian Kello then produced a breathtaking save from Jelavic and Hearts went in at the interval a goal ahead.

Rangers dominated the second half but it seemed the home side would hold out - until the inevitable happened ten minutes from time. Rangers substitute Lafferty drilled home a free-kick which the Hearts defence seemed to make a collective decision to get out the way of. Poor Kello seemed in despair that all his earlier heroics had been in vain. 1-1 and it seemed like a share of the spoils. Until the fourth official advised there would be five minutes additional time at the end of the ninety minutes. Where he got five minutes from was anyone's guess. Or as the fella next to me said 'they'll play on until Rangers get the winner'. Four minutes into stoppage time Hearts Craig Thomson went for a fifty-fifty ball but this was deemed a free-kick by his namesake Craig Thomson the referee. A quite ridiculous decision  - and from the free-kick Steven Naismith danced into the Hearts penalty box and poked the ball beyond Kello to give Rangers the winner with very nearly the last kick of the game.

Hearts didn't deserve to win but there's a case to argue they didn't deserve to lose either. Rangers players and officials reactions at the end of the game spoke volumes - they were mighty relieved to get three points. Most Hearts fans knew the script - we've seen this happen with the Old Firm countless times before. Keeper Kello and defender Mrowiec were superb for Hearts. Kevin Kyle had perhaps his least effective game in maroon - he had a glorious chance to put Hearts back in front with five minutes left but blazed his header over the bar.

Hearts now have two weeks to lick their wounds before they - and I - head for Aberdeen. Rangers remain joint top of the SPL and to give them credit they kept going to the end - as they always seem to do. However, for all the talk of foreign players' antics it was disappointing to see Rangers Steven Naismith try his best to persuade referee Craig Thomson to show Eggert Jonsson a yellow card - knowing full well the Icelandic player had already been booked.

Heart of Midlothian 1 Rangers 4

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 27 March 2010 - Tynecastle

After last week's impressive display against Hibernian, Hearts brought their fans crashing down to earth with a bump with this display against Scotland's champions elect. I suspect manager Jim Jefferies had spoken to his players about the importance of keeping things tight early on and not letting Rangers grab the initiative. When a totally unmarked Danny Wilson headed Rangers in front after just four minutes, the Hearts boss must have felt like banging his head off the roof of the dugout.

Hearts did fight back and their tenacity was rewarded after sixteen minutes when Suso Santana volleyed in a tremendous effort from inside the penalty box which gave Gers keeper McGregor no chance. However, Rangers always looked threatening when going forward - admittedly this wasn't difficult against a Hearts defence that appeared as if they had been introduced to other in the pre-match warm up. Rangers went ahead again after half an hour when Naismith's effort cannoned off the crossbar and fell kindly to Kenny Miller who dived to head home. Hearts had keeper Jamie McDonald to thank for a brilliant save from Davis to keep Hearts in the game.

Rangers began the second half the same way they began the first when Whittaker set up Naismith to clip the ball beyond McDonald just four minutes after the re-start. Hearts best move the game followed but when David Obua had the choice of which side of the goal to nod the ball past keeper McGregor he opted to head it straight at him. When Zaliukas' header was brilliantly palmed away by McGregor moments after, Hearts chances of taking anything from the game disappeared.

With thirteen minutes left, Rangers ended the scoring when a Davis free kick was met by the head of totally unmarked Naismith who had the freedom of Gorgie Road with which to head home. Which is precisely what the majority of the disgruntled home support immediately did.

Strangely enough, I've seen Hearts perform much worse this season and still not lose. The midfield was okay and up front Obua and Glen posed problems for the Rangers rearguard. But Hearts defending was quite shocking - they gifted four goals to the visitors who surely didn't expect such an easy ride at Tynecastle.

The only saving grace was that St. Johnstone lost at Hamilton and thus the five point gap remains between Hearts and Saints for that sixth spot in the SPL come the split. If Hearts win their next two games they will be assured of sixth place - but Jim Jefferies will need to sort out the defence if this is to become a reality.

Tottenham Hotspur v Rangers 1962

Tottenham v Glasgow Rangers - European Cup-Winners Cup 1962

The magical Hungarian side of the 1950's and the spellbinding quality of Real Madrid in the early 1960's opened the eyes of football supporters in Britain to just how fast the game was changing at the beginning of the swinging sixties. The emergence of the three European club competitions at this time was a mouth watering addition to the menu of a game already enjoying a post-war boom in popularity and the likes of Benfica, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich were about to become as equally famous as the Spanish giants from Madrid. Whilst the drawing of a big name from the continent would stir great excitement, equally as enthralling would be the pairing of two British teams in European competition. In the autumn of 1962 the names of Tottenham Hotspur and Glasgow Rangers came out of the hat for the second round of the European Cup Winners Cup and, with the Sixties still in their relative infancy, the tie was being touted as the match of the decade.

Tottenham Hotspur, suave and sophisticated, had a team oozing with class. Players like Jimmy Greaves, John White and Danny Blanchflower were already part of White Hart Lane folklore as was that redoubtable Scot Dave Mackay. The team which had created history by winning the League and Cup double eighteen months previously was regarded as one of the finest Spurs teams of all time and, although they were no longer League champions, they were hot favourites to make further progress in the competition.

Glasgow Rangers had also seen their League championship flag taken away from them by Dundee but they had fine players of their own such as Scottish internationals Jim Baxter, Ronnie McKinnon, Eric Caldow and Davie Wilson. Many observers, however, believed that Spurs - with some of their top stars earning a reputed £5,000 a year, more than double the top salary at Ibrox -had too much quality to be troubled by their Scots counterparts and the first leg at White Hart Lane kicked off on Halloween 1962 with the Londoners favourites to take a lead up to Glasgow.

Tottenham: Brown, Baker, Henry, Blanchflower, Norman, Mackay, Medwin, White, Allen, Greaves and Jones.

Rangers: Ritchie, Shearer, Caldow, Davis, McKinnon, Baxter, Henderson, McMillan, Millar, Brand and Wilson.

Predictably, thousands of Rangers supporters flocked to the capital to lend their heroes support and they were in good voice as the game kicked off. However, the pre-match predictions of a Spurs win seemed to be coming true with less than ten minutes on the clock. From a Greaves corner, White rose unchallenged above a transfixed Rangers defence to head Spurs into the lead.

The Ibrox men were stunned and more slack defensive play almost cost another goal shortly after. But, with Spurs threatening to run riot, Rangers winger Ralph Brand sent a sweeping pass to Davie Wilson 'who crossed for Willie Henderson to scramble the ball past Spurs Scottish goalkeeper Bill Brown. 1-1.

The match seemed to be living up to its billing as the game of the decade and in twenty-two minutes an audacious piece of skill by the ebullient Jimmy Greaves put Spurs back in front. With the Rangers defence remembering what John White had achieved from a previous corner kick, the Scotland star was tightly marked, but Greaves, the master showman, put such a curve on this corner that the ball sailed directly into the net past a startled Bill Ritchie in the Rangers goal.

This was the signal for all out Spurs pressure and the only surprise was that it took them until thirty-seven minutes to add to their score when Les Allen headed a Medwin cross powerfully home. Minutes later Allen added a fourth as the Ibrox defence began to crumble, although goalkeeper Ritchie kept the Glasgow side in the game with a string of fine saves. Yet, before the first half was over, the brave Scots had pulled another goal back - and it was a goal straight from the Spurs text book. A cross from Henderson on the right was headed gleefully into the net by Jimmy Millar. A breathtaking first half ended with Spurs 4-2 ahead.

The second strike had given Rangers heart and they started the second half on top, mounting a series of attacks on the Spurs goal. But, despite the pressure, they could not get the further breakthrough they needed and there were palpitations for the massed ranks of the Rangers support when Spurs won another corner with barely twelve minutes left. Inevitably Jimmy Greaves took it and Rangers worst fears were confirmed when Spurs centre half Maurice Norman guided the resultant cross past keeper Ritchie to make the final score 5-2 to the Londoners.

On the night of the original date for the second leg at Ibrox, Glasgow was enveloped in dense fog and so the game was put back. A massive crowd of more than 80,000 packed into Ibrox for the re-scheduled second leg on December 11th 1962 - a remarkable show of loyalty given that few people believed Rangers could beat Spurs from scratch, never mind three goals down. Rangers had controversially dropped midfield star Jim Baxter following the first leg at White Hart Lane but, wisely, had reinstated the international genius for the return game. Indeed the Rangers team was the same that lost heavily in London. Spurs only alteration was to replace Les Allen with Bobby Smith and the game kicked off in a cacophony of noise with both teams making early attacks.

With Rangers looking for the early breakthrough that would raise hopes of an unprecedented comeback, their aspirations were dealt a fatal blow from the man who was tormentor-in-chief in the first leg. As in that first game there were barely ten minutes gone. And, as in the first, it was Jimmy Greaves who was the hammer of the Scots. On a mesmerising run he went past one, two, three Rangers players as if they were not there. As goalkeeper Ritchie raced out, Greaves slipped the ball past him to put Spurs in front on the night and 6-2 ahead on aggregate.

You could have heard a pin drop at Ibrox. Rangers huffed and puffed for the rest of that first half but the class of this Spurs team was all too evident and they coped comfortably with anything that the Ibrox men could throw at them. In fact the closest to another goal came when Greaves nearly added a second after almost half an hour.Rangers did find a way through two minutes into the second half when Ralph Brand headed home a Willie Henderson cross and Ibrox erupted once more into a frenzy. However the joy was short-lived. Spurs merely moved up a gear once more when Bobby Smith made up for his absence in the first game by rocketing a shot past a bewildered Billy Ritchie to put his side 2-1 ahead on the night. It was a classic counter-attack and illustrated how much this Tottenham side had learned in such a short period of time about how to play the European way.

Rangers threw everything into attack once more, hoping to salvage some pride with an equaliser - for everyone knew the tie itself had been lost weeks earlier in London. With fifteen minutes to go Davie Wilson powered the ball past Bill Brown and it seemed that some respect was to be restored to the Scottish game with a 2-2 draw. But, being the true professionals they were, Spurs came forward again with just two minutes left. Again the Rangers defence got in a tangle and Bobby Smith got his second goal of the night to make the final score 3-2 for Spurs and a remarkable 8-4 on aggregate.The ovation given to both teams from a disappointed but appreciative Ibrox crowd told its own story.

Any Scotland v England clash, whether it be an international or a club match, raises the passion in any Scot but they knew by the way Tottenham had dismantled a Rangers side on its way to yet another League championship, they had witnessed an exceptional team in action. Tottenham, of course went on to destroy Atletico Madrid 5-1 in the Cup Winners Cup final in Rotterdam - but players and supporters alike would look back on the "Battle of Britain" with more than a little satisfaction.

Walter Smith Flies Through the Air

The current Rangers manager enjoyed a long and distinguished playing career with Dundee United and Dumbarton. However, this is a moment he won't care to recall - scoring an own goal whilst playing for the Sons of the Rock against Hearts in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final replay of 1976.

Hearts won 3-0 and went on to face Rangers in the final.

The Determination of the Old Firm

Determination on the faces of two Old Firm defenders in the 1977 Scottish Cup Final. Rangers Colin Jackson and Celtic's Roddy McDonald who would go on to play for Heart of Midlothian.

An Andy Lynch penalty would be enough to give Celtic the trophy.

Scottish Cup Final 1998

Heart of Midlothian 2 Rangers 1

In July 1995 Falkirk manager Jim Jefferies stood outside Brockville Park to tell the waiting media and anxious Bairns supporters - "I'm staying at Falkirk". The former Berwick Rangers manager had been given the opportunity to take the manager's post at Hearts and, being a former Hearts captain as well as a lifelong supporter, the temptation was keenly felt. Jefferies had worked a minor miracle at Falkirk, not only taking the club to the Premier Division but also earning a respectable mid-table position when many pundits were tipping The Bairns for relegation. But, within forty eight hours of stating his intention to stay put, Jefferies' uneasiness at turning down what may have been the opportunity of a lifetime intensified. When Hearts chairman Chris Robinson went back to try again, Jefferies changed his mind - and history was in the making.

Two years later Jefferies was beginning to make his mark at Tynecastle - but the Scottish media was obsessed with Rangers attempt to win the league championship for a record tenth season in succession. The other eight Premier Division clubs were written off even before a ball was kicked. But a new challenge was rising in the east. Hearts recovered from an opening day defeat at Ibrox to thrash Aberdeen 4-1 at Tynecastle and it was a taste of what was to come from Jim Jefferies' side. Rangers still led the way but defeat from Motherwell meant that a rapidly improving Celtic and a born again Hearts were soon snapping at their heels. The Jambos were producing highly impressive performances, particularly away from home as was evident in a 4-1 win at Motherwell and another 4-1 victory at Pittodrie.

At Christmas there was a three-way split at the top of the Premier Division with Celtic, Rangers and Hearts streets ahead of everyone else. When Rangers went to Tynecastle on 20 December many observers thought it would be the acid test of Hearts championship credentials. Walter Smith's side coasted to a 5-2 win and everyone waited for Hearts bubble to burst, a view reinforced on New Years Day when The Jambos let slip a 2-0 lead in the Edinburgh derby with Hibernian to end with a 2-2 draw. But Celtic's victory over Rangers twenty four hours later meant Hearts were still in the title race and would remain so until almost the last three weeks of the season.

When the Scottish Cup came around some commentators had been so impressed with Hearts displays that they thought the Tynecastle side were a good bet to take the trophy - even though it had been thirty six years since silverware last graced the west end of the capital city. The Old Firm, they reckoned, would be too involved with the championship but Jambos boss Jim Jefferies wasn't worried about that being an apparent backhanded compliment. Hearts were given a home draw against Second Division Clydebank in Round Three and were somewhat fortunate to win 2-0 given that The Bankies created the better chances in the game. It was Third Division opposition in Round Four when Albion Rovers visited Edinburgh and Angolan winger Jose Quitongo inspired Hearts to a 3-0 victory before their penchant for home ties was illustrated again in the quarter finals with a 4-1 win over Ayr United. Hearts eighth semi-final appearance in the Scottish Cup in twelve years had many people believing their name was on the trophy when they avoided both the Old Firm and drew First Division Falkirk. Hearts luck in the cup held firm. Despite their poorest display of the season during which The Bairns outplayed them, Hearts emerged 3-1 victors (two goals in the last two minutes sinking their lower league opponents) and their third cup final appearance in two years beckoned.

Their opponents were the side that had thrashed them 5-1 in the Scottish Cup final of 1996 - Rangers. Ibrox boss Walter Smith conceded that Hearts were a much improved team from the one that capitulated two years earlier but the Govan men were still firm favourites for the trophy. More than 48,000 supporters headed for Celtic Park on a warm May afternoon to witness one of the most emotional cup finals in recent years.

Hearts: Rousset; McPherson; Naysmith; Weir; Salvatori; Ritchie; McCann; Fulton; Adam; Cameron; Flogel. Substitutes: Hamilton, Robertson; Murray.
Referee: W. Young

It was a sign of the cosmopolitan times that, of the Rangers side, only Gordon Durie and Ian Ferguson were born in Scotland (Gough was born in Stockholm while Goram and McCall were born in England of Scottish parentage). Even the Hearts side contained two Frenchman, an Italian and an Austrian.

Both sides were affected by pre-match blows. Rangers influential German, Jorg Albertz was sent off for violent conduct the previous week at Tannadice while injury ruled out Swede Jonas Thern. Hearts captain Gary Locke, who was stretchered off injured after just seven minutes during the 1996 final, missed the '98 final because of a hamstring injury and, being a Hearts daft youngster, his anguish was felt by every Hearts supporter.

Rangers-Hearts Scottish Cup finals have a history of having remarkable beginnings. The 1976 final between the pair began at two minutes to three, Rangers scored within eighty seconds, and so Hearts were a goal behind before the official kick-off time! Astonishingly, the 1996 final kicked off at a minute to three and Hearts lost their captain within seven minutes. The fans wondered what the 1998 final would have in store - they got their answer after just thirty three seconds!
From the kick-off Hearts stormed upfield. Stand-in captain Steve Fulton burst into the Rangers penalty box only to be halted by Ian Ferguson. Halted illegally said referee Young and he awarded a penalty to Hearts. It looked initially like the foul had been committed outside the penalty box but, tellingly, few Rangers players protested. Colin Cameron stepped up to slot the penalty kick beyond goalkeeper Andy Goram and Hearts had a sensational lead after just eighty seconds. Maroon clad supporters erupted in the Celtic Park cauldron and it was certainly a start to the match few people - even in Edinburgh - had predicted.

Rangers, although stung by such an early setback, responded. Rino Gattuso embarked on a powerful run from midfield, which ended with a shot, which was comfortably saved by Rousset. Then Brian Laudrup had an effort which was blocked by nineteen year old Gary Naysmith. Hearts, however, weren't just sitting back. Despite a significant change in tactics by manager Jim Jefferies which saw the team adapt a more rigid 4-4-2 formation rather than their normal swashbuckling style of 4-4-3, the maroons were still capable of lightening raids on the break, epitomised by young Naysmith who was having an outstanding game at full back. The Scotland Under 21 star had just been named Young Player of the Year and his assured defending and attacking abilities were there for all to see at Celtic Park.

After half an hour Rangers Ian Ferguson - a veteran of St. Mirren's cup triumph in 1987 - was put through by Laudrup but pulled his effort wide. Then came Rangers best effort thus far. Accepting a short free kick some thirty five yards out, Lorenzo Amoruso fired in a magnificent shot which appeared to be heading for the top left hand corner of the net. But as Rangers prepared to celebrate the equaliser Hearts keeper Gilles Rousset leapt majestically to palm the ball past the post. It was a fantastic save and a defining moment. In the 1996 final, the big Frenchman let a shot slip through his fingers to give Rangers a two goal advantage from which they never looked back. It was a schoolboy error and Rousset hid his face behind his hands at the realisation at what he had done. But now, two years later, he produced one of the great stops and the twenty three thousand Hearts supporters stood to acclaim the moment. Half-time arrived with Hearts still ahead and one wondered if history was about to be made.

At the start of the second half Rangers replaced the unhappy Stensaas with the veteran campaigner that was Ally McCoist. It signalled an all-out attacking policy by Walter Smith and for the opening five minutes of the second period Hearts were pinned back in their own half. Within minutes McCoist received a pass from the tireless Brian Laudrup but his effort went into the side net. Urged on by captain Richard Gough -playing his last game for the Ibrox club - Rangers swept forward and one wondered if Hearts could hold out. But, on fifty three minutes, the Hearts support erupted once more. Gilles Rousset launched a long ball down field from a free-kick and it seemed that Rangers Amoruso would clear the danger. But the Italian dithered as he went to strike the ball and Frenchman Stephane Adam nipped in behind him. Taking the ball into the penalty box, Adam fired in a powerful shot which goalkeeper Goram could only parry into the net. 2-0 to Hearts and Adam ran with outstretched arms to an ecstatic Jambos support to milk the celebrations.

The noise from the Hearts end was deafening. Was the dream about to come true? Was thirty six years of anguish about to end? The supporters, so often kicked in the teeth by countless near misses from their side, could scarcely believe it. But there were still thirty five minutes to go. And a wounded Rangers side is when they are at their most dangerous. Seconds later Hearts almost ended the argument when Austrian Thomas Flogel headed a Steve Fulton free-kick powerfully towards goal but his effort was well saved by Goram. But, inevitably, Rangers stormed back.

Ally McCoist, despite being written off by some people at 35 years of age, was proving a real handful for the youthful Hearts defence. A snap shot from the striker from just six yards out was well saved by Rousset before the former Sunderland player appeared to be fouled by Dave McPherson. Time was running out for Rangers but, with nine minutes to go, McCoist finally got the goal both he and his side deserved. Ferguson played the ball forward to Gattuso. The Italian slipped it to McCoist who drove the ball past Rousset and into the net from eighteen yards.
The last few minutes of the 1998 Scottish Cup final were tense, nervous and fraught for supporters of both sides. Rangers threw everything at the Hearts defence but the Jim Jefferies’ side scented glory. But there was still time for more drama in this epic cup final. With two minutes to go, McCoist went down in the penalty box after a foul by David Weir. Referee Young immediately blew his whistle. For a moment it looked like a penalty to Rangers and Hearts hopes appeared to be cruelly dashed once more. But, after a nod from the assistant referee, Young awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box much to the disgust of McCoist. Brian Laudrup's free-kick was deflected wide and Hearts and their supporters breathed a huge sigh of relief. The period of injury time seemed to last forever. Fully four minutes stoppage time had been played when, at last, referee Young blew for the end of the match. The Hearts support roared themselves hoarse and danced for joy. Jim Jefferies almost crushed his assistant Billy Brown with a hug of delight. Hearts had won the cup for the first time since 1956 and four decades of heartbreak had come to an end.

The scenes which followed at Celtic Park were remarkable. Grown men wept and the tide of emotion that washed over those in maroon seemed almost to overpower them. Veteran striker John Robertson, a substitute but who never came on, was clearly overcome. 'Robbo' had been at the club for seventeen years but had yet to win a medal with the club he loved. Now, in his last season at Tynecastle, his dream had come true as it had for the thousands of jubilant supporters who found it difficult to comprehend just what had happened. When Steve Fulton went to collect the trophy he invited club captain Gary Locke to go up with him. The injured Locke - a dyed in the wool Hearts fan if ever there was one - didn't need to be asked twice and the two players held the cup aloft to a huge ovation from the Hearts support.

Edinburgh partied all weekend as the players paraded the cup through the streets of the famous old city and on to Tynecastle Stadium for a truly emotional homecoming. An estimated one hundred thousand people welcomed them home and Edinburgh let down its collective hair. Manager Jim Jefferies had said before the game that the players could become legends if they won the cup and there's little doubt that the Hearts support treated their heroes in a way befitting such a status.

It was an emotional end to an emotional season. In the last quarter of the league season Hearts championship challenge, admirable though it was, faded as the side dropped points to Motherwell, St. Johnstone and Aberdeen. The final nail in their title coffin was, ironically, driven in by city rivals Hibernian who recorded a rare win in the Edinburgh derby by 2-1 at Easter Road in April. It was, however, Hibernian's last hurrah – they were relegated at the end of the season.

Such upheavals meant little to those connected with Heart of Midlothian, however. It's true to say that the club had become something of a laughing stock in Scottish football as a result of their lack of success and their almost constant failure to produce the goods when it really mattered. Season 1997-98 changed all that. Throughout the season Hearts had consistently produced a sparkling brand of fluent, attacking football which delighted the purists. They had given the Old Firm the fright of their lives in the race for the league title.

And, after thirty-six years of hurt, they had finally brought silverware back to Tynecastle.