Douglas Walker of The Scottish Sun has tried to play down the anti-catholic songs sung by Hearts supporters after their 1-0 win over Motherwell.
A large number of Hearts fans share the song book enjoyed by Ibrox fans with a hatred for Catholics and Irish the focal point for their ‘support’.
That mentality was highlighted in 2011 when John Wilson attacked Neil Lennon in the dug-out at Tynecastle before being led away by the police to the cheers of the home support.
I am fully aware of the history thank you. The fact remains, a clip of idiotic Hearts fans singing bigoted songs does not equate to the east having a similar problem to the west. But you got the reaction you wanted so bravo #Tiocfaidhárlá #nosurrender
— Douglas Walker (@DougScottishSun) September 16, 2018
Wow. A reporter from The Scottish Sun tweets this a victim of hate crime in Scotland. Incredible. https://t.co/kN0HBsrDUz
— Captain Haggerty (@AngelaHaggerty) September 16, 2018
top eh the league ???????? pic.twitter.com/W4O2AFSYh6
— Michael Young (@michaelyoung1_) September 15, 2018
Ann Budge likes to portray Hearts as a family club but has did little to root out the sectarian element who are a constant feature of their support at home and away.
Sectarian issues are often portrayed as a West of Scotland problem but it’s clear that the attitudes found and supported by the authorities in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire don’t suddenly die out at the Lothians or on some mystery point along the M8.