Hearts superfan celebrating 95th birthday on same day as Scottish Premiership decider
Wilma’s love for Heart of Midlothian has been lifelong
For most people, turning 95 would be the biggest event to happen on any given day.
But for Wilma Blaikie, the possibility of her beloved Hearts being crowned Scottish Premiership champions for the first time in more than 60 years takes precedent over her milestone birthday, which falls on the same day her team take on Celtic away in the title decider.
Born and bred in Broxburn, Wilma has even gone so far as to ban family and friends from wishing her a happy birthday before the final whistle blows at Celtic Park today.
“She doesn’t want anyone to say happy birthday or celebrate it at all until the end of the football,” said her daughter Linda Duncan.
“She has so much faith that Hearts will win it because it’s on the same day as her birthday.”
Wilma has been a diehard Hearts fan since she was born, having first gone to Tynecastle with her dad William Simpson when she was just five years old.
The pair, who were very close, enjoyed travelling to home and away games together over the years. And William, after whom Wilma was named, was elated when one day his daughter brought home her new boyfriend - Hearts legend Willie Bauld.
“When she started dating Willie Bauld, he hoped that was it and that they’d get married,” said Linda.
But while their relationship wasn’t to go the distance - with Wilma having married John Blaikie in 1953 - her love for the Edinburgh club has proved to be lifelong.
“She remembers going to all the games and she could tell you so many stories from them all,” said Linda who will be watching the game with Wilma at home, along with her husband Andy and their two children Fraser, 29, and Rachel, 26.
“She said 1960 only feels like it was yesterday. But 1986 was awful. She still recalls Hearts had only seven minutes left to play then it all went wrong.”
But mother-of-two Wilma, who also has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, is hoping to see Hearts rewrite history and give her a 95th birthday to remember.
And if they win, Linda said, the family will be celebrating with a meal of salmon and potatoes - Wilma’s favourite.
“I was thinking about booking us in at an Italian restaurant but I’m not even sure we’d be able to eat,” said Linda.
“We’re all Hearts-mad so it’s been quite a stressful time, but we’re all really hoping they go out and do it.
“Mum wants to wish the Hearts all the luck in the world. We’re all thinking because it’s her birthday they’re going to do it. But obviously it’s not just for her, we just want them to come on and do it, it’d be lovely.”