Hearts repair bond with fans after Scottish Cup campaign as Hibs win and Celtic final restore pride

While the aftermath of the delayed Scottish Cup final brought celebrations in the streets of Glasgow, there was also comforting appreciation back in Edinburgh.

The Hearts players have endeared themselves to fans with Scottish Cup performances.

It was a day when bonds were mended and pride restored in Hearts after a tumultuous – at times disastrous – two years. The relationship between a football team and its supporters is critical, and some of the Tynecastle public’s unwavering commitment is finally being justified.

We all saw Craig Halkett’s tears. We all saw the frustration at the end. We all saw the impatience to collect medals and get the hell out of Hampden Park. Prior to that, we all saw a Hearts display that was not so much hungry as ravenous once they got going. Exactly as their fans wanted.

Beating Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final and taking Celtic to penalties in the final has proved Robbie Neilson’s rebuilt side can mix it with clubs challenging in the Premiership. Such gumption has been a long time coming after the previous two campaigns, but it has regenerated a good deal of pride.

Punch-drunk

Hearts’ recovery has been steady since relegation to the second tier of Scottish football left them and their supporters punch-drunk during the summer.

They were always expected to sit top of the Championship table with a multi-million-pound wage bill and clutch of international players. Cup ties against Hibs and Celtic were different propositions; a far greater test of mettle than Dundee or Queen of the South.

Delaying the 2019/20 Scottish Cup may well have helped. Hearts were in better shape for the rescheduled semis and final than they were back in March when football was suspended.

They knocked Hibs out after extra-time in October and gave Celtic an almighty fright in Sunday’s final. In between, a shock Betfred Cup loss at Alloa was a setback which should not be overlooked. It confirmed there is still plenty work to be done but no-one at Riccarton believes this project is anywhere near finished.

It is coming together, piece by piece. Attitude is a key component. Hearts should be able to continue building towards a more prosperous future with more of the tenacity and spirit on offer at Hampden.

Their resilience certainly caught Celtic by surprise. Neil Lennon’s side raced into a 2-0 half-time lead before being hauled back to 2-2. Hearts then went behind 3-2 in extra-time only to score again and force a penalty shootout.

Celtic ultimately prevailed as two saves from goalkeeper Conor Hazard won the trophy and the world’s first quadruple treble. Hearts left Glasgow disconsolately but, upon reflection, will be comforted somewhat that they have endeared themselves to their fans once again.

‘They could be class’

Comments like “couldn’t be prouder being a Jambo tonight” and “if this Hearts team can stay relatively intact, boy they could be class” underlined the impression made on the supporters. Their pride was almost tangible, with even some Celtic fans acknowledging the opposition’s part in an enthralling cup final.

Any Tynecastle regular will tell you that this is how it should be: Hearts challenging for trophies at Hampden with players giving everything for the jersey. It is a welcome sight after difficult and sometimes depressing periods under the management of Ian Cathro, Craig Levein and Daniel Stendel.

Stendel deserves an exemption on cup grounds having overseen wins against Airdrie, Falkirk, and most notably Rangers to get Hearts to the semi-final. The German’s contribution to the tournament should not be forgotten.

Under Neilson, the squad are re-establishing a bond with their public which was fractured for most of the last two seasons. League results like the 5-0 loss at Livingston in 2018 still make those who witnessed it shiver. Likewise watching Kilmarnock go 3-0 up at Rugby Park after 16 minutes in 2019.

Supporters rightly demanded more passion and desire for the cause. They haven’t pumped in more than £10million of hard-earned cash through Foundation of Hearts to watch their team succumb in meek and tame fashion whilst fighting relegation.

Neilson returned as manager in June and, along with assistants Lee McCulloch and Gordon Forrest, has worked hard to instill that resolve. Halkett’s emotion on Sunday epitomised the kind of devotion supporters are looking for.

Former Celtic midfielder Murdo MacLeod praised Hearts’ approach during the final: “No matter what the battle was, they won all the battles in the second half. Every Hearts ball into the box caused problems for Celtic.”

Some were keen to take the word “battle” to different levels. In fact, it would probably have made more sense just to give Steven Naismith and Scott Brown a ball of their own and send them across to Lesser Hampden to get on with it.

It was one captain trying to knock the other off his game – a microcosm in some ways of the final itself. The goading at the end of the shootout was needless but didn’t overshadow a compelling afternoon of football.

TV remains fans’ gateway

The greatest disappointment was that fans weren’t allowed inside Hampden to see it and voice their appreciation. Television screens from Edinburgh to Glasgow and beyond were the only gateway to a Scottish Cup final that will live long in the memory.

Hearts must regroup with yet more hardiness to recover from defeat and continue their promotion quest over the coming weeks. Ayr United visit Gorgie on Saturday and a run of victories over Christmas and New Year would cement their position atop the Championship.

Unfortunately, there is no indication yet when supporters will be back inside Tynecastle in numbers. The issue is further down the Scottish Government’s agenda just now as a new variant of Covid 19 sends much of Europe into panic.

For the foreseeable future, fans are restricted to conveying their appreciation with pictures and comments on social media. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc are all vehicles helping to repair a vital connection between supporters and the Hearts players. Auld Reekie supports them with pride once again.

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