28th July 2026; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland: UEFA Europa League Qualifier Football, Hearts versus Sturm Graz; Heart of Midlothian Head Coach Wouter Vrancken
Pre-match the Hearts fans were triumphant and defiant as they returned to Celtic Park.
Back in May the same venue left them scarred for life as they watched Celtic take the title in the final 10 minutes of the season.
After 250 days in top spot Hearts stepped aside for Scotland’s most successful club.
The despair of the Jambos was fantastic.
A new generation of Hearts fans got to experience the Albert Kidd feeling. Magically in the digital age with social media clips left right and centre of their misery and suffering.
Ironically a brilliant Copa 90 documentary was released on Friday, reliving the hurt and pain of the final days of the 25/26 title race.
With all of that baggage a Hearts flag was on display at Celtic Park for yesterday’s match.
WHEREVER YOU GO, WE WILL FOLLOW
Unless you are 4-0 down away to Celtic in which case it is time to pack up and head for home, not forgetting the flag of course.
@98kxe funniest thing ive ever seen with my own two eyes im so glad someone got this on video
— callie ? (@scaldinitistic) October 18, 2026
Celtic scored twice in the first 10 minutes to dampen the hopes of the away support.
All around them they were surrounded by almost 60,000 gloating fans in green and white.
HEARTS FANS BAIL OUT OF CELTIC PARK
Hearts did play their way into the game but looked vulnerable every time Celtic pushed forward. Their goal was constantly under threat.
In the 36th and 38th minutes Callum Osmand struck twice. The former Fulham striker has scored three goals in the SPFL- all against Hearts.
And that was too much for many Jambos.
They’ve already watched their team getting hammered by Sturm Graz and Benfica this season. When it comes to Celtic the maroon mist comes down.
In Austria or Portugal you’d put on a show of defiance. Seeing it out till the end, not walking away.
In Glasgow many Hearts fans couldn’t even stay around till half-time.
They left before Laurent Mendy notched a 41st minute consolation.
And a comical own goal from Jamie McCart with Stephen Kingsley providing the assists.
At the final whistle the Hearts players went over to recognise the backing of the fans that had stuck it out.
The lads with the ‘WHEREVER YOU GO, WE WILL FOLLOW’ flag were probably home in front of the telly when the final whistle blew.
@Highland__paddy And sometime in between
https://t.co/aMIiGgmiI8
— keep Em High Baws Low (@ToommeeToouu) October 18, 2026
