And so we move on to the showdown at Celtic Park which will decide the league title. Hearts did what they had to do at Tynecastle on Wednesday night, earn three points with a victory over Falkirk.
Celtic edged Motherwell at Fir Park thanks to a controversial penalty deep in injury time, timed at 99 minutes, to be exact. It was given for handball and some observers, including Hearts legend, John Robertson, who was in the Sky Sports studio, shook their heads.
Derek McInnes, the Jambos head coach, admitted that when he heard there was a late penalty at Fir Park and knew who it would be for. He was 100 per cent correct and he was not impressed having seen it post-match.
However, Hearts travel along the M8 with a point in hand over the defending champions after 37 games. They also have a better goal difference, 35 against 30, and McInnes said he is looking forward to the game.
The 54-year-old former Morton, Rangers, West Brom and Dundee United player, believes in his men. He has every right to do so as they have led the William Hill Premiership for months.
They have accumulated 80 points, a club record in the Premiership era, and the biggest haul by a non-Old Firm team in Premiership history.
All this from a side which last season finished seventh, 42 points behind Celtic, and Hearts have now qualified for the Champions League, a remarkable transformation.
The Men in Maroon have achieved this despite having only 15,000 season ticket holders and they have split the Old Firm as Rangers – who lost 2-1 at home to Hibs last night – are third. They have 45,000 season ticket holders and Celtic have 53,000. That means they have a vastly inferior budget.
Can Hearts players achieve legendary status? Well, it is in their hands. The Men in Maroon last won the league championship in 1960 when Tommy Walker guided the team to glory, but they famously failed on the final day 40 years ago.
They lost out to Celtic on goal difference that day. Grown men cried and many older fans still remember. It hurts. They will not need reminding who cut them down. It was Dundee player, Albert Kidd, who came off the bench to net twice in the dying minutes of that game at Dens Park on the final day of the 1985/86 season.
The current Jambos are on the verge of history, and it is 41 years since a team other than Celtic or Rangers won the league title. Their pursuit of the title has earned them interest from around the world and the Capital combine go into the game with key players out through injury but on a high after a convincing 3-0 won over Falkirk.
They had a nervous start at raucous Tynecastle, but settled after Greek winger, Alexandros Kyziridis delivered an inviting, inswinging cross from a corner on the left and big defender, Frankie Kent, rose to bullet the ball home. Time 29 minutes. The faithful in the packed stands – 18,861 attended – erupted in joy and a wee bit of relief.
Aussie midfielder, Cammy Devlin, restored to the team after injury, slotted No 2, capitalising on a loose ball in the box. Nicky Hogarth in the Falkirk goal had little chance as the ball came through a ruck of players.
No 3 arrived with four minutes of regulation time remaining and it was set up by defender Michael Steinwender. Blair Spittal did the rest, curling the ball home with his left foot from the right edge of the penalty box. Cue more singing from the stands.
After the final whistle, the Hearts players paraded on the pitch, some with their children, to thank the crowd for their support in what has been a sensational season, so far.
Sadly, only around 700 will be at Celtic Park on Saturday, but McInnes is ready for the challenge and he told the media post-match: “It is going to the last game and we’re delighted to be part of it.”
The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss is so proud of his men to have accumulated 80 points and he added: “It is a great effort from everybody.”
Falkirk tested Hearts’ goalkeeper, Aexander Schwolow, once, lively Calvin Miller cutting in from the left and firing towards goal just before the break. Schwolow pushed the ball over the bar.
had His counterpart, John McGlynn, felt his team started the game well, but he was disappointed to go behind to a set play.
McGlynn, whose men will finish sixth in the table, added: “Hearts deserved their win and they are top of the league for a reason. They have good players.”
BANNER MEN: Fans proudly show a huge banner in the Gorgie end ahead of the match with Falkirk. Picture Nigel Duncan
FAN FERVOUR: Fans pre-game fly the flag. Picture Nigel Duncan
CONGRATULATIONS: Derek McInnes with German-born goalkeeper, Alexander Schwolow, post-match. Picture Nigel Duncan
