Hearts fan thanks Robbie Neilson and the club as he leads the team out at Hampden

A Hearts fan has thanked the club after he walked out alongside manager Robbie Neilson at Hampden during the Scottish Cup final.

Lifelong Heart of Midlothian supporter, Stevie Morris, with Robbie Neilson and Craig Gordon during the Scottish Cup Final match between Rangers and Hearts at Hampden Park.

Life-long Hearts fan Stevie Morris, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in February 2020, led the team out alongside the Hearts manager ahead of the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.

Sharing footage of the moment, Mr Morris tweeted: “A million thanks to Hearts for looking after me yesterday and throughout my illness. It was Robbie's idea to ask me to lead the team out with him! I can't describe the feeling of pride. Love you Hearts yesterday today and forever.”

He added that he was “gobsmacked” by the number of messages he had received after sharing the clip on social media.

MND Scotland tweeted: “Life-long Hearts supporter, Stevie Morris, who is living with #MND, led the team out today.”

Mr Morris, who was diagnosed after noticing a freezing cold sensation in his foot during a round of golf, told the Evening News last year following his diagnosis: “Hearts has always been a huge part of my life. It’s really important to me and I used to love travelling to the games on the Livingston Hearts supporter’s bus, but I can’t do that now.”

The club partnered with MND Scotland, with the logo pride of place on the front of the Hearts home kit for the 2021/22 season.

Rangers Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst shakes hands with Robbie Neilson and Hearts supporter, Stevie Morris, during the Scottish Cup Final match between Rangers and Hearts at Hampden Park. Paul Devlin SNS

Rangers ended a 13-year wait for the Scottish Cup with a 2-0 win over Hearts at Hampden Park after extra time on Saturday.

Goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright in extra time secured a victory that ensured the trophy went to Ibrox.