The title race for the Scottish Premiership is well under way — fast-changing, exhilarating, and with many more twists and turns likely in the final eight matches of the season. The three clubs at the top of the table are now separated by just three points, and it has been a lifetime since the league has seen such a close race right to the very end. Compared to other title races currently taking place across Europe, this is proving to be the most exciting.
Hearts are undeniably much weaker away from home after three straight defeats on the road, but crucial Edinburgh fixtures against Dundee and Motherwell before the split bodes well for the club. Tynecastle has proved itself to be a fortress time after time. Performances in the upcoming games will almost certainly be given both a physical and psychological boost with the hopeful return of Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin.
Head coach Derek McInnes seems confident of the club’s chances to battle through till the end of the season: “I fully believe we are going to have a special end to the season and I’m totally committed to that […], I want the players to play with confidence.”
Hearts’ narrow lead in the title race has reduced from six points in January to only two points ahead of Celtic at the moment, and Rangers creeping up a further point behind. Out of their last six premiership games, Hearts have only managed to win half. However, McInnes was quick to state he didn’t see this as a negative reflection on their play: “When you look at the teams around us, of the last five games, we’ve won three, Celtic have won three, Motherwell have won three, Rangers have won two, so nobody’s really catching fire.”
It is difficult to understate the significance of a possible Hearts title win. No club outside of Rangers and Celtic have won the Premiership since 1985, and Hearts haven’t secured the title since the 1959/60 season. Even with the old firm clubs charging towards the top spot, there is no reason any Hearts fans should give up their hopes of lifting the trophy. There is still everything to play for.
I’ll admit I lost touch with football for a while, but whether it is due to the lifelong Hearts supporters around me, my flat’s proximity to Tynecastle and the surrounding pubs packed to the brim on matchdays, or simply a soft spot for an underdog story, I find myself holding out hope for a Hearts success story come the end of the season.
“Heart of Midlothian” by Neal. is licensed under CC BY 2.0.