The danger of quoting figures, as I did in the programme for 26 January when Hearts edged a 0-4 win against 10-man Rovers, is that they soon go out of date.
The 60 players I said played for both Hearts and Rovers have since been enhanced by Rovers’ shrewd acquisition of Dario Zanatta, currently playing for the ‘Honest Men’ (and ‘bonnie lassies’ to be accurate to the Burns origin of the Ayr nickname). Not to mention Christophe Berra which, unfortunately, I have.
Hearts recall of Canadian Zanatta during his loan spell at the San Starko in 2017/2018 was controversial with some saying it affected Rovers’ promotion battle with Ayr United – well, with current league placings, what goes around…
As for respected Hearts servant Berra, even the ultra-faithful will admit he hasn’t found his past form over the last 18 months – possibly since the injury against Celtic. However, he clearly believes he can still contribute on the park, whatever other roles may develop.
Anyway, I now write from the giddy heights of Championship champions for the second time in six years. Not many teams make that immediate return to the top flight (Hibs didn’t) but it has not been an easy road.
After the glorious 0-4 performance, the Pride of Edinburgh embarked on a less than auspicious run of narrow wins and draws through February and March as Neilson (in whom I have full confidence) struggled to develop an ostensibly strong squad into something more than a mediocre team.
Then came cup defeat by the mighty Brora Rangers. Amidst the anguish I reminded the less informed that en route to the 2012 Scottish Cup victory it took an 84th minute goal against Junior side Auchinleck Talbot for us to sneak through to the fifth round. That argument fell flat when it was pointed out that we at least got through.
Perhaps more painful was the subsequent defeat by Queen of the South, mainly because I don’t know any Brora supporters but I do know a vociferous Queen’s fan. The 6-0 defeat of bottom-placed Alloa gave some comfort and showed what can happen with a fully fit Souttar and Haring on board.
As is tradition for a section of the Gorgie faithful, they churned out posters, graffiti and social media demands that ‘Budge and Neilson must go’. To be fair, there is a consistency in that some elements have been calling for Ann Budge to go from day-one.
‘Ann Budge doesn’t understand Hearts’ is a common theme. I’m not sure what it is they understand that she doesn’t – and I do struggle with the etymology of some of the insults.
It seems to me that someone who helped rescue us from oblivion and brought business stability; who along with the Foundation built a state of the art new stand and plaza area, and created a positive image through the memorial garden and the Save the Children partnership, seems to have at a least some understanding.
Add to that the fact that she will shortly hand over to the Foundation so we own our own club and I have few complaints about her tenure.
And as for the Foundation members who have given up the chance to own their club by stopping contributions in protest – well, guns and feet come to mind.
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