Hearts came back with a bang on Saturday. Coming up against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish semi-final, they swept aside their Championship opponents 3-0.
Their Edinburgh Derby anger was all but extinguished with three second half goals. Sure they were favourites for this game, but Inverness are no pushovers. Jambos boss Craig Levein needed a professional performance from his side and he certainly got one.
Considering the animosity towards Levein in 2019 from some fans, it’s incredible to think Hearts are now just one win from lifting the ultimate domestic honour, the Scottish Cup.
The Tynecastle faithful will have another day in the sun at Hampden in May. They are likely to be Celtic’s final hurdle in their quest for the treble treble. They should just be glad they have the chance to do end that run for the Hoops.
It’s been a season of immense highs and horrible lows. Everything has to be forgotten now. Everyone in Gorgie has to unite to give Hearts the best chance of winning the cup in May.
A time for unity at Hearts
The contrasts this season have been startling. They beat Celtic at Tynecastle this season but were beaten at home by Dundee also. An Easter Road triumph came after Levein’s men were hammered by Livingston in West Lothian 5-0.
Hearts aren’t out the race for Europe mathematically, but they are eight points off third place Kilmarnock. It’ll be an uphill task that their league form has probably put out of reach. Luckily for Hearts they are in the final, so Europa League action is an extra incentive to win the cup they last lifted in 2012.
The Jambos have five great prep games. A visit from Rangers this week gives them the chance to rewrite their Ibrox woes from a few weeks ago. A final Edinburgh derby of the season is followed by a home game against Killie and a Friday night clash against Aberdeen.
They play cup final opponents Celtic on the last day of the Premiership season. Whether Levein rests players remains to be seen. Whatever the case, these five games should give Hearts players the chance to show they deserve to start the Scottish Cup final.
To have any sort of hope against Celtic, the club has to hit some positivity in the coming weeks. The players need to produce results and fans have to back them all the way.
In recent years Hearts have been relegated and teetering on the brink of destruction. Sure they have underperformed this season in the league, but a cup victory would make that fact irrelevant.
It’s time for all corners of Tynecastle to come together. The remaining six games are the final chapter of Hearts’ season, waiting to be written.