I remember watching a League Cup semi final a few seasons ago.
Steven Naismith, the best footballer at Tynecastle for decades, though in the twilight of his career by this stage, went down injured after a few minutes.
There was no one near Steven when he went down, so it was pretty clear it was serious.
It was.
It was effectively the end of Naismith’s season – and Hearts.
They had started so well, led the league and reached that cup semi – but the injuries had already started to look troublesome.
The loss of talisman Naismith broke the camels back, though he was no man of straw.
A footballing giant in a tiny physical frame, had he – the consummate leader on the pitch – and one or two other key players remained fit all season, who knows how good it could have been for Hearts?
We will never know.
It has been a very choppy period for Hearts since those heady days when Naismith briefly strutted his stuff.
What started to get Hearts back on track was the contact Ann Budge made to get Robbie Neilson back to Tynecastle.
Make no mistake. That was in the it’s own way as important as the creation of the Foundation and the arrival of Mrs Budge herself.
Robbie came to rescue Hearts from the Championship – AGAIN.
I could make this a very long article – but I will contain myself.
In my opinion, Robbie can be Hearts Ferguson, in terms of the scale of the transformation of our clubs fortunes.
Those “fortunes” include not winning Scotlands top league for over 60 barren years.
He is, of course, his own man entirely – not “Son of Ferguson” – BUT the point is that he has the qualities required to transform the fortunes of Hearts.
And whilst doing so, Neilson can transform the fortunes of Scottish football by ending the strangling 37 season Duopoly of Celtic and Rangers.
The Duopoly is unique in European football. No other country has suffered such a situation for so long.
The main reason is not hard to find. As this Edinburgh Evening News article makes clear, the scale of the financial advantage the two Glasgow clubs have over Hearts is daunting.
But Hearts have factors in their favour that make our club stronger than any club outside Glasgow: the Foundation, with supporter ownership and continuous financial support; an excellent Board; wealthy and wise benefactors; a support that now fills Tynecastle almost every match; and, this season, the financial rewards of European participation.
And, of course, Robbie, his coaching team – and a growing band of top quality players.
Without naming names, in my view Hearts fully fit squad now contains at least six players good enough to stake a claim to be Premiership winners. One or two others on the books may grow to the same stature.
So progress.
Robbie Neilson has already stated it will be at least three seasons from now before Hearts will be able to mount a serious challenge to the Glasgow giants.
There will be rocky weeks and months along the way, when hope subsides.
But, if everyone at Tynecastle retains faith, remains strong, the longed for league success CAN come.
The “Dream” can become a reality.
The finances will always remain a huge struggle, unless Hearts can secure regular Champions League Group Stage participation.
The financial gulf means there will always be some lack of depth to the Hearts squad.
So Beni getting injured last season was, effectively, another Naismith moment.
There was no one in the squad who could adequately replace Beni.
The squad WILL get stronger – but luck with injuries will always have a part to play in Hearts success in the league.
For decades, clubs outside Glasgow which have won the top Scottish league have relied on relatively small but quality squads.
Hearts will be no different going forward.
However, as with Aberdeen and Dundee United in the late 1970’s, early 1980’s, what Hearts will need is a first choice eleven of the required quality to go toe-to-toe with Celtic and Rangers.
We are not there yet; but getting to half way after just one full season back in the Premiership is a decent achievement.
As we go into this weekend, with Hearts missing many players, including both first choice central defenders, some will fear the arrival of Celtic at Tynecastle.
Not me. Ange and his team will come and try to strut their stuff. They are good to watch, though the Hearts support will hope their players don’t do that…
It will take a huge effort – and a bit of luck – for under strength Hearts to win.
BUT, win or lose, the fact that Robbie needs those three seasons will not change.
He MUST be given the time.
There is no realistic alternative.
For Hearts – or for Scottish football.
BELIEVE.
Scottish Football Matters 