Hearts fans have been left heartbroken after the deciding match against Celtic saw them lose what would have been their first league title in 66 years.
The Hoops scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to bring the Scottish Premiership title back to the East End of Glasgow for a fifth consecutive year. Our sister title, Edinburgh Live, observed the match at Tynecastle Arms in Gorgie and caught up with punters outside the pub after the game.
The energy was described as sombre and tense as people flooded from the bar in a flurry of tears and expletives when Celtic’s second goal was confirmed. They stood shellshocked on the pavement – many crying or embracing, holding their heads in their hands.
Best friends Steph Meaney and Steph Macaskill, from Edinburgh, were gutted by the loss but said it wasn’t for them that they wanted a win.
View 3 ImagesSteph Macaskill (left) and Steph Meaney outside Tynecastle Arms(Image: Edinburgh Live)
Steph Meaney, from Lochend, said: “I feel s****. I’m proud of the team but I hope we would’ve done it today for my dad. I wanted it for my dad. I’m a Hearts fan because of him. He passed 12 years ago and he would’ve loved to be here for this.”
Steph Macaskill added: “Today wasn’t about the people who are here – you want it for loved ones who aren’t here. To have it taken away in last game of the season just like that was so gutting. We woke up this morning feeling sick we were so nervous.
“Leading up to the match today, it was so nerve wracking. You want to do it for everybody that’s not here. I’ve got my step dad who’s not here who was a Hearts fan – I feel every emotion humanly possibly just now.
“It’s done now. We’re not going to rewind it. If you told me at the start of season we got second, I would’ve taken it. But for it to be taken away in this form, not so much.”
View 3 ImagesFriends Chris Warsop and Louis Campbell, from Marchmont(Image: Edinburgh Live)
Friends Louis Campbell and Chris Warsop, both 22, were gutted by the outcome but tried to stay positive about the team’s efforts throughout the season.
Louis, from Marchmont, said: “It was some performance from the boys this year. I’ve not had a better season as a fan. They won’t take this away from us.
“We should have had a guard of honour going into that pitch today. We should’ve had two penalties in that Motherwell game. It’s too little too late for apologies. It’s a tainted title for Celtic.”
View 3 ImagesJordan Lodge (right) with brother-in-law Russel(Image: Edinburgh Live)
Jordan Lodge, 33, shared some fiery words for Celtic, saying: “I am absolutely gutted. It was always going to be a wee s**** penalty. I’m happy they made it so far this season. I always knew they could.”
His brother-in-law Russel offered a controversial take amongst the Jambos, adding: “We’ve had an incredible season but the best team won. Over 90 minutes, Celtic were the better team but we should’ve won the league on Wednesday.”
Douglas Kerr, 40, is from Polmont and has been a Hearts fan his whole life. He said: “We’ll get back to this point one day. It’s been a f****** epic season. I was in absolute turmoil in the final minutes. It was an amazingly fought game from the Hearts.”
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