Hearts fans have spoken of their devastation after their team was beaten by two late goals from Celtic, denying them their first Scottish Premiership title in 66 years.
Fans had packed out pubs in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh to watch the match and crowds gathered outside the side’s Tynecastle stadium for the return of the team bus.
At the end of the game, Hearts players had to be escorted off the pitch as thousands of Celtic fans spilled on to the pitch immediately after Callum Osmand made it 3-1 deep into stoppage time of their title decider.
Following the game, many Celtic fans made their way to the Trongate area of Glasgow to celebrate. The club had earlier asked fans not to gather in the city should they win.
At Tynecastle, Jambos supporters gathered outside the main entrance to welcome Derek McInnes’s team home.
Fans chanted and waved scarves to support their club despite the devastating result.
Hearts fans were grateful to their team for their efforts this season, where they came close to breaking the dominance of Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Scottish league.
Hans-Peter Hauck had travelled from his home near Frankfurt in order to watch the game.
He said the result was “not good, it’s heartbreaking”.
He said: “I’m still glad I came, it’s a great experience.”
Colin Hyson, a lifelong hearts fan, was among a capacity crowd at The Athletic Arms, a Heart-supporting pub also known as The Diggers.
The 36-year-old said many Jambos fans would be angry at recent refereeing decisions.
He said: “We are better than them (Celtic), the league was won not by results but by decisions.”
He said fans felt “gutted, disappointed, distraught – hopefully when the dust settles we can look forward to the next season.”
Many hearts fans gathered outside Tynecastle after watching the match as nearby venues.
Matt Cronin, 30, a lifelong Hearts supporter from Edinburgh, said the atmosphere in the pub he was in felt “electric” when his side scored in the first half.
He said: “It’s crushing the way that you lose it.
“The fact that we were 10 minutes away – the whole time we were there we were counting down.
“To lose it the way we did, it’s frustrating, but nothing can take away from what’s been an incredible season.”
John Connolly, 56, said he was looking forward to next season.
He said: “The result is the result – but revenge is sweet.
“Sorry Celtic fans, but we’ll be back.”
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost sent his commiserations to Hearts following their defeat by Celtic.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “On behalf of the city, I want to pass on my commiserations to everyone at Heart of Midlothian FC, the players, their fans and everyone who has been rooting for the team during this incredible season.
“The players gave absolutely everything at Celtic Park this afternoon and to lose so late in the game was truly heart-breaking.
“The club has had such a great campaign, bringing so much joy, excitement and inspiration to their fans and to the wider community.
“They really have been the ‘talk of the toon’ and in recent weeks the buzz in and around Gorgie has been palpable.”
