Davie Provan wasn’t over impressed by Hearts 4-0 win over Celtic.
True to form Craig Levein’s side followed that up with a 0-0 draw away to St Johnstone, the Anderlecht form was missing after the players had dined out all week on beating the hoops.
With bigger crowds than Aberdeen and a more fashionable city than the Dons Hearts have been unable to put together a credible challenge for the title.
On the odd occasion they can raise their game but when it comes to the crunch the Tynecastle side are almost always found wanting.
In the mid-eighties Provan had a close up view of that mentality as Hearts crumbled on the final day of the 85/86 season as Celtic exerted some pressure.
Writing in The Sun he recalled: “That weakness stretches back as far as Levein’s own playing days. In 1986, Hearts had the title in the bag.
“They’d cleared all the big hurdles before heading for Dundee knowing that a win made them champions.
“At the same time, Celtic boss Davie Hay was telling us Hearts might not handle the heat. Sure enough, on a dramatic final day, we mugged the Jambos for the title.
“Three decades on, nothing has changed. Hearts have a fantastic stadium and support but still lack credibility as serious contenders. It’s an Edinburgh problem they’ve still to solve.”
After losing the league at Dens Park Hearts lost 3-0 to Aberdeen in the final of the Scottish Cup a week later at Hampden.
