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East Fife 1 – 1 Hearts - Betfred Cup group stage, 27 July

To say Hearts stumbled into the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup would be an understatement. Craig Levein’s side took the lead at New Bayview through Jamie Walker but the display lacked any real tempo and creativity. When the third tier side equalised within ten minutes of the restart it was fully deserved.

From that point onwards there looked like only being one winner, and it wasn’t Hearts. There was a real sense from observing the visiting support that the tide was very much turning on Levein’s tenure at Hearts, with chants and shouts against his position evident.

One of the most significant moments in the Hearts season came after the 3-2 loss to Motherwell. Picture: Ross MacDonald / SNS Group

Two years on from the embarrassing, and pointless, penalty shoot-out defeat to Dunfermline Athletic at the same stage in the Betfred Cup under Ian Cathro, Hearts once again were defeated on penalties with ex-Hibs youngster Aaron Dunsmore netting the winning spot-kick to add insult to frustration.

Hearts 2 – 3 Motherwell - Ladbrokes Premiership, 14 September

This was one of the most eventful afternoons Tynecastle had witnessed in a number of years, which says something in itself. The home supporters made their feelings known early on about the management of Craig Levein and the club’s continued support of him in his role. It only intensified as Hearts deservedly fell behind through Declan Gallagher. It became 2-0 then 3-1 in the second half as the atmosphere turned mutinous.

The home side rallied late on, but it wasn’t enough to stop another defeat and the team sinking to five games without a win.

Aaron Hickey netted the winner for Hearts at Easter Road back in September. Picture: Ross Parker / SNS Group

It was what happened afterwards which became the main story. Hundreds, perhaps more than a thousand, fans gathered outside the Main Stand to protest and urge the club to sack Levein. At one point some supporters tried to storm the reception.

Hibs 1 – 2 Hearts - Ladbrokes Premiership, 22 September

The two Edinburgh clubs were at a low ebb with pundits and supporters alike expecting the losing manager to be looking for a new job by the end of the weekend. That scenario didn’t quite materialise as Hearts came from behind to win 2-1 at Easter Road. Such a result, the manner of it and the celebrations at the end suggested the win could act as a turning point in the season with recent recruit Ryotaro Meshino having an influence. Even more so when the side progressed to the Betfred Cup semi final a few days later.

But more than anything it relieved the pressure on Levein significantly. Many were expecting Hearts would fail to win and the club would have no option but to sack the former defender. Yet, as he has done throughout his career, he tasted success once more over Hibs.

Craig Levein's final match as Hearts boss came at McDiarmid Park. Picture: Roddy Scott / SNS Group

It wouldn’t be long before the pressure was back on.

St Johnstone 1 – 0 Hearts – Ladbrokes Premiership, 30 October

Come the morning of 31 October, Hearts sat 11th in the league with a goal difference one better than bottom-of-the-table St Mirren. It was the day after the team lost at McDiarmid Park and it would be the day the club announced that they were parting ways with Craig Levein.

The travelling support were treated to an insipid display which prompted chants of ‘Craig Levein, we want you to go’. As at East Fife in the Betfred Cup, there was little energy, a team devoid of ideas and one which seemed to have no idea of its destination or purpose.

Daniel Stendel arrived as Craig Levein's replacement but Hearts remain bottom of the table. Picture: Craig Williamson / SNS Group

Hearts had netted just 10 goals in 11 games, allowed St Johnstone to move off the bottom of the table, scored the goal which handed Saints the win and became the first side in the Premiership to fail to score against Tommy Wright’s side.

Hamilton 2 – 1 Hearts – Ladbrokes Premiership, 21 December

Daniel Stendel’s introduction to life at Hearts was an eye-opener for the German. It was made pretty clear from early on that he had a big job on his hands. There was little reaction to his appointment in terms of performance in his first game against St Johnstone as the side went down 1-0.

Five changes were made for the trip to Hamilton Accies the following week, but again there was little sign of progress. It was another match which allowed Stendel to make his mind up on certain players.

In terms of the bigger picture, it would be Accies’ second of three matches unbeaten against the Tynecastle side. Hearts’ inability to beat teams around them is one of a number of reasons they are where they are in the league.

Hearts 2 – 1 Rangers – Ladbrokes Premiership, 26 January

Liam Boyce's winner against Rangers was meant to be the turning point. Picture: Rob Casey / SNS Group

This was it. This was the turning point.

The return to action after the winter break brought about progress in the Scottish Cup and a goalless draw with relegation rivals Ross County in Dingwall. But then came an inspirational performance against title challengers Rangers at Tynecastle. Not only did Hearts recover from a goal down to win but they made Steven Gerrard’s men look ordinary. It was the type of performance many expected a Daniel Stendel team to produce with new signings Toby Sibbick and Liam Boyce having an impact.

It wasn’t the turning point. It was meant to be, but it wasn’t.

Hibs 1 – 3 Hearts – Ladbrokes Premiership, 3 March

Four matches had taken place between the win over Rangers in the league and the visit to Leith. On top of that, 15 goals had been shipped. There was an apprehension about the trip to Easter Road. A defeat would be a nail in the coffin of Hearts’ survival hopes.

What transpired was a very smart, pragmatic and enjoyable victory for the Tynecastle side. Players who had been much-maligned came to the fore with big performances and the nature of the display enthused the away support.

Once again, there was a sense that this was it, this was the turning point for Daniel Stendel’s men.

St Mirren 1 – 0 Hearts – Ladbrokes Premiership, 11 March

Huge. Crucial. Imperative. Must-win. Some of the words used to describe the rearranged match in Paisley. Win and Daniel Stendel’s men would jump off the foot of the table, lose and the future of Hearts as a Scottish Premiership side looked bleak. What followed was without a doubt the worst performance of the season, considering what was on the line.

The Buddies kept their opponents at arms’ length at all points and arguably deserved to win by more. Too many players allowed the game to pass them by as Hearts, a week on from easing past Hibs, showed no signs of being able to get a grip of proceedings and control the game. It was summed up by the goal conceded as the team made it easy for the opposition. A microcosm of the defensive issues which have plagued the side.

Fans voiced their anger at the end but who knew that the world was going to change so drastically in such a short space of time with Hearts’ Premiership future in the air.

From fan anger to Edinburgh derby wins to turning points - The 8 most significant Hearts games of the season