Heart of Midlothian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Hearts are now in a position that no-one thought they would be in at this stage of the season.

They now know that victories in their next three matches - and probably just the next two - will make them Scottish top-flight champions for the first time since 1960.

That statement alone is just nuts.

Back in 1960 the Scottish top flight looked very different. There were 18 teams in what was then called Scottish League Division One.

Only 34 matches were played, with each team playing every other twice.That season Hearts won 23 of their 34 matches and lost only three times - to Kilmarnock and Motherwell on the road, with a solitary home defeat against St Mirren the only blemish at Tynecastle.

Back in those days there were only two points for a win, and their final total of 54 gave them a four-point advantage over second-placed Kilmarnock.

The manager at the time was the legendary Tommy Walker. Born in Livingston, he played nearly 250 games and scored over 100 goals for the club before taking on the manager's job in 1951, a role he held for 15 years.

Oh, how managers today would wish to stay in a job for that long.

But Hearts fans cannot get too far ahead of themselves. There is still work to be done to complete the job.

Motherwell have arguably been the most problematic opponents for Hearts this season. Some may forget that they ripped Hearts apart for an hour at the start of the season before a stunning fightback snatched a point.

The outcome of Saturday night's game may well determine exactly what will be required when Falkirk come to Tynecastle next week for the final home match of the season.

One thing is for sure: there will be nerves, tension and probably a few sleepless nights for Hearts fans. Praying that their dreams will come true, they don't have long to wait before they find out.

Image source, SNS

Former Hearts defender Christophe Berra believes Hearts are "in the driving seat" heading into the last three games of the Premiership season.

The Tynecastle club are three points above Celtic in second place, with nine points still to play for.

Berra, who came through the youth ranks at Hearts, thinks head coach Derek McInnes deserves a huge amount of credit for what he is on the cusp of achieving with his team.

"People think management is all about tactics, but it's about getting the players to play for you," Berra told BBC Scotland. "Derek's done that. The players will run through a brick wall for him. The character in the squad has been unbelievable.

"We're in the driving seat. The players will know that, the manager will know that. With three games to go, I think it's an amazing position to be in - and one the players are going to grasp."

While there is no doubt it has been an outstanding season for Hearts, it has also been a poor one for the Old Firm, particularly Rangers, who were all but knocked out of the title race with their defeat at Hearts on Monday.

Celtic, who have had three managers this term, have lost eight games in a season for the first time since the 1999-2000 campaign.

But Berra is pleased to see Hearts finally challenging the dominance of the Glasgow sides.

"We're used to Celtic being 10, 15 or even 20 points ahead and having the title wrapped up by now," he added. "Celtic and Rangers have not hit the levels they have previously, and Hearts have upped theirs.

"It's brought worldwide attention, which can only be good for the game. I think the majority of people outside the Old Firm want to see Hearts win it.

"It needs change. To do it two or three years in a row is a different challenge, but to break that Old Firm dominance would be incredible."

Image source, SNS

Derek McInnes has turned Hearts into a "completely different animal" and should have nothing to fear against Celtic as the Edinburgh club attempt to close in on their first league title in 60 years.

The Tynecastle outfit are three points clear at the top of the table with three games to go and have already beaten Rangers to effectively knock the Glasgow club out of the title race.

They travel to Celtic on the final day but could, depending on results in the next two games, already be champions.

Hearts came from a goal down on Monday to defeat Rangers 2-1, and fan Liam Corbett of the This is My Story podcast says he was never worried about facing Danny Rohl's side.

"I genuinely never ever felt that Rangers would come to Tynecastle and beat Hearts," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Hearts are a completely different animal now under Derek McInnes at home. I watched the Celtic game on Sunday and thought if we're on our game, there's nothing there that I'm genuinely terrified of.

"And they'll have watched the first half on Monday and gone: 'Wait a minute, neither of these two teams is catching us.'"

Hearts boss McInnes was named manager of the year after an impressive first season in Gorgie.

And Corbett says his post-match comments on Monday showed exactly why he has been so successful.

He added: "I think what really summed up why Derek McInnes was the PFA manager of the year is that after the game, he came out and said it was a terrible first half - nothing like us, nowhere near what we're supposed to be, levels below what we were.

"He said he asked the players: 'Do you want to be champions? Do you want to show everybody that you're top of the league? Go out and put it right, because that wasn't good enough.'"

Celtic have put Marc Leonard firmly on their summer radar and will continue to monitor the 24-year-old midfielder in his final three games of the season on loan to title rivals Heart of Midlothian from Birmingham City. (Daily Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Claudio Braga cannot believe the "crazy" position Hearts have put themselves in after Monday's magnificent fightback win against Rangers put them one step closer to a stunning title triumph.

Derek McInnes' side are three points clear of Celtic and seven clear of Rangers with three matches to play, starting with a trip to Motherwell on Saturday.

"It's three games to go, it's kind of crazy," the PFA player of the year said.

"We were all in the locker room [after beating Rangers], everybody was looking at each other, like 'it's three games to go and we are still top of the league'.

"It's not even easy to describe it with words, I'm not going to lie. It's just a crazy feeling."

There was a party atmosphere at Tynecastle after Monday's win and they now have a club-record high points tally of 76

"It's hard, I'm not going to lie, but we try to be as professional as we can," Braga said, when asked about containing excitement levels.

"It's been a long time that people [outside the dressing room] have been saying that maybe this could be possible.

"We've already had that [outside noise] and through the championship we have just taken it game by game. We dealt with Rangers, and now it's Motherwell, and that's it. We don't care about Falkirk or Celtic for now, and hopefully we win that game, and then we go for the next one."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Max Stryjek - Kilmarnock

A clean sheet for the keeper who underwent heart surgery earlier in the season - a remarkable story.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann put him at right-back and it proved a masterstroke as Curtis scored when Killie blew Dundee United away.

Craig Halkett - Hearts

A giant performance from the Hearts centre-back in a seismic victory against title rivals Rangers.

Ryan Astley - Dundee

Solid showing as Dundee earned a clean sheet and a vital three points.

Stephen Kingsley - Hearts

Great reactions to grab that vital Hearts equaliser.

Yang Hyun-Jun - Celtic

Celtic were not scintillating again, but Yang was a bright spark against 10-man Hibs.

Brad Spencer - Falkirk

The captain set the tone as his side once again got the better of Motherwell.

Aaron Tshibola - Kilmarnock

Great overall performance at the heart of the Killie midfield.

Joe Westley - Dundee

A big goal that takes the heat off any Dundee survival anxiety.

Kelechi Iheanacho - Celtic

He brought that scalpel-like sharpness in the Celtic penalty box that the defending champions sorely needed.

Lawrence Shankland - Hearts

The Hearts captain underlined his credentials as an inspirational leader once again with a goal of seismic proportions. His ability as a striker is clearly never in question, but even by his standards the left-foot finish to sink Rangers was outstanding.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

I left Tynecastle on Monday night absolutely blown away by this man's performance. He had been available to Derek McInnes and Hearts all season, but only really made his mark after the January transfer window.

McInnes turns to him on the big occasions, and I was left in no doubt that he saved his best display of the season for the Rangers game.

That man is Colin Chisholm.

I still can't get that pre-match rendition of The Hearts Song out of my head - it's genuinely the best I can remember.

The whole Chisholm family should be proud of the atmosphere Colin helped generate for the team, and I have no doubt it played its part in securing the win.

It feels symbolic that the man who recorded the 1986 version of The Hearts Song has stepped back into the spotlight 40 years later. He is producing performances that, I hope, will help cement his legacy in Gorgie for generations to come.

It's a nervous time for all Jambos - especially my other half. We are due our firstborn any day now, and I half-joked last September that if Hearts won the league, we'd have to name the baby after some of the key figures who helped end the 66-year hoodoo.

I can't believe we are now just three games away from the prospect of a young Claudio (or Claudia) being the youngest Jambo at a title-winning parade in Gorgie.

Middle names still need to be negotiated, but there'll have to be a Shankland and a McInnes in there somewhere.

Like my impending fatherhood, being in this position in the league table is new territory for everyone at the club. Still, I believe we can see it through and come out triumphant.

It looks like a two-horse race between ourselves and Celtic now, so it is vital we keep doing what has brought us this far: taking it one game at a time.

I've no doubt Motherwell will be desperate to beat us on Saturday. They've got the on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh, and he will be keen to do his part.

Add in Motherwell players riding the crest of a wave after being named in the PFA Premiership team of the year, and this has all the makings of a blockbuster in front of an ever-growing international TV audience.

I'm not entirely sure how McInnes should set us up for this one, but I trust him to turn things around in our favour if we fall behind for the fourth game in a row, and to use the bench to make an impact.

It cannot be overstated how important players like Blair Spittal, Pierre Landry Kabore and Sabah Kerjota are when they come on.

Like Colin Chisholm, their contributions can spur the team on at key moments. If we all pull together, I'm confident of another positive outcome come Saturday evening.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland said he could feel his team would eventually come out on top against Rangers once they made a key half-time change.

Head coach Derek McInnes introduced Blair Spittal at the break, which allowed the Hearts strikers more space in front of the Rangers defence.

Shankland said that with Rangers dominating and holding a one-goal advantage at the break, things needed to change.

"The first half became difficult," he told BBC Scotland. "Rangers got their goal and they got a bit of confidence and went on from that. It caused us a lot of problems, to be honest.

"We couldn't quite get our press right at the top end of the pitch and they were picking us off pretty easily. So we were just glad to get in at half-time and it was only 1-0.

"We managed to bring Blair on. It sorted the middle of the pitch for us. It allowed us to get a press at the top and I think that changed the game for us.

"Obviously, we started to nick things at that end of the pitch and then eventually you feel the momentum coming when you get the equaliser. It felt as if we were going to beat them and we were going to get the next one."

The victory takes Hearts seven points clear of Rangers, with three games left to play.

However, Shankland would not be drawn on whether it is now a straight shootout between the Tynecastle club and Celtic for the title.

"Not mathematically, Rangers are still in it," he added. "But it's going to be difficult. There's no denying that, of course. When you only have three games left, it's going to be difficult for them to get back.

"But I'm sure they'll know there's belief there until it's mathematically impossible.

"We just need to concentrate on Motherwell. Another difficult game. Obviously, a team that's got a lot of praise this season for the way they do things. So we'll prepare well for that and we'll look to go there and get a result."

We asked for your views after Hearts fought back to claim a monumental Scottish Premiership victory against Rangers.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Steven: Lawrence Shankland is priceless for Hearts. He is so important to how the team functions - a real class act. If he had been fit all season, he would have won player of the year, no question.

Norrie: I go to the games with my daughter and I can't fully express my appreciation for the memories the club is providing us with. Priceless!

Gordon: Tynecastle was the best I've seen it in my lifetime. It was an incredible advert for the game in our country. Unbeaten at home in the league and now with a fifth win against the Glasgow pair - the records these players have smashed this season are remarkable. They deserve to win the title.

Ronald: I am 85 and have experienced every high and low as a Hearts fan, but last night was off the scale. The noise was unbelievable. Can the title be won? Bet your bottom dollar.

George: The incredible impact of the Blair Spittal substitution cannot be overstated - he changed the game, was involved in both goals and nearly scored one himself but for a worldie save. I've been critical of Derek McInnes and his subs and formations, but this was a masterclass in game management.

Alison: So many people are waiting for us to bottle it, but we have come from behind and won our last three matches - that's what champions do. It's so close now. Can Motherwell do us and Scottish football a favour and take the day off? (Please!)

Captain Lawrence Shankland thundered Hearts to a huge victory over Rangers as the Scottish Premiership leaders restored their three-point advantage at the top and all but ended the Ibrox side's title hopes.

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

Image source, SNS

Hearts manager Derek McInnes: "The way the players dug that out, the result, second half - magnificent. The two goals were magnificent. Lawrence comes up with the big moment. The finish is sublime, it's so pure, it's full of class and everything that he is.

"For half-an-hour, Rangers were way ahead of us. We were second best. Thankfully, it was only 1-0. There was a change of approach, there's a change of mindset that we had it all to do at half-time. It couldn't have come as quickly as it came for us. We needed a big half-time. Thankfully, we organised ourselves enough to get a bit more confidence in the game.

"We asked the players to show more responsibility. We're not top of the league without cause and we needed to start showing that we were the team at the top of the league.

"I don't think anybody could deny that, second half, we were the better team and very strong and showed a bit more like ourselves.

"The crowd were magnificent. The start of the game was pure theatre. What a noise it was."

Image source, SNS

Rangers' trip to Hearts is the Tynecastle club's most significant league match in four decades, says Ryan McGowan, but the former Jambo says the games will only get bigger if they see off their title rivals on Monday.

The Ibrox side travel to Gorgie knowing that defeat would almost certainly rule them out of contention for the Scottish Premiership crown.

Derek McInnes' side are currently level on points with Celtic at the summit but sit four points clear of Rangers with four fixtures remaining.

McGowan believes this might well be the biggest league occasion for his former side since the 1985-86 campaign, when Hearts were denied the Scottish top-flight title on goal difference by Celtic on the final day.

However, the Livingston centre-back also acknowledges that the magnitude of his old club's matches will only intensify after Monday.

"Is it the biggest league game that a Hearts supporter has had since, you know, that season no Hearts fan talks about? It probably is," McGowan said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But the situation Hearts are in just now, the next game is the biggest one. So, if they go and get a result on Monday, the following game is going to be bigger than the Rangers game. If they go and do that, the following game.

"So every game is just going to get compounded and compounded as they get possibly closer to winning the league."

Image source, FC Versailles

Versailles midfielder Tom Renaud is in Edinburgh and will attend Monday's match between Heart of Midlothian and Rangers as the 25-year-old moves closer to a summer move to the Edinburgh club. (Daily Record), external

Hearts are among the clubs interested in 20-year-old centre-back MJ Kamson-Kamara, who has spent the season on loan at Glentoran from Lincoln City. (News Letter), external

Adam Forrester, who is entering the final year of his contract, says he has yet to have discussions about his future with Hearts after the 21-year-old right-back helped St Johnstone win the Scottish Championship while on loan. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Forty years ago to the day, but the scars haven't fully healed for some Hearts fans.

Four whole decades have now passed since the infamous 2-0 loss to Dundee on the final day of the 1985-86 season, that helped hand the Premier Division trophy to Celtic on goal difference.

Hearts had been in pole position that day, but they surrendered their lead and no one has been able to wrestle the championship trophy from Glasgow's grip since.

A few years ago, some of the Hearts players on the pitch that day reflected on the game.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow admitted he did not expect to join a side that would lead the Scottish Premiership title race with just a few games to go, but is now confident they can take another step towards glory.

The German arrived last August after number one Craig Gordon suffered an injury to his neck and shoulder, that has ended up keeping him out for the majority of the season.

"It has been an incredible, and obviously enjoyable, journey," the goalkeeper said.

"We went from game to game and collected a lot of points and that has made us stand in such a good position for the last four games."

Schwolow says there were great celebrations after Sunday's dramatic win at Easter Road but the team are now focused on winning on Monday to cement their place at the top of the table.

"To win a derby is also very important for us. It's the same for our supporters. It was a crazy game. I had a very quiet afternoon and fortunately the team could take the lead with two men more and bring us and the fans the win.

"Monday is an important game. Every game from this year was important, but especially now the last five games are obviously very, very important.

"Because when you play against direct opponents for your position it's always a six-point game. We just hold it like we held it the whole season, we go game after game. It's a very, very important game, we all know that.

"But we feel confident, we feel especially confident at home with our amazing fans. We try to prepare ourselves the best we can and be in the best position possible to keep the points at Tynecastle."

Image source, SNS

Hearts hope to have at least one of Harry Milne (calf) or Cammy Devlin (muscle) back after injury, but Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof (both hamstring), Tomas Magnusson, Ageu (both thigh) and Craig Gordon (shoulder) remain out.

Gers left-back Tuur Rommens has returned to training and Danny Rohl will assess his possible involvement.

Striker Ryan Naderi is making progress but remains doubtful, while defender John Souttar is nursing a knock but should make it.