Hearts celebrate title win as trophy presented

The Jambos lifted the Scottish Championship trophy after a 2-2 draw against Rangers that was touted at the start of the season as a last-day decider.

However, the Tynecastle club’s incredible form meant that fans have had over a month for their win to sink in since  securing top spot in March.

And after watching the trophy presentation, fans were partying into the small hours at the usual Hearts-supporting haunts, including the Tynecastle Arms, Dickens Lounge and the Merchiston Hearts Social Club.

Ann Budge: Fresh pair of eyes. Picture: SNS

Steve Kilgour of the Federation of Hearts Supporters’ Clubs said he had an unexpected house guest after celebrations went on longer than expected.

He said: “My cousin was up from Newcastle and he missed the last train home, so he stayed the night. The Scots Guards Club at Haymarket had a title-winning party upstairs. That’s where we were. We celebrated into the small hours, shall we say.

“It was great to see. It’s been a terrific season. The turnaround in the club in the last year has been absolutely amazing, from where we were at the end of last season.

“It wasn’t as noisy as when we won the Scottish Cup, or even as noisy as it would have been if it was a last-day decider. To have the league won by Easter was absolutely amazing. Everything has just come  together so well.

The selfie sticks are out as the players celebrate. Picture: SNS

Derek Watson, chairman of the Hearts Supporters’ Trust, said that his thoughts were  already turning to next season.

He said: “It was a fantastic atmosphere, and it was really good that they managed to get something out of the game with the two late goals. That helped things along.

“It was a well organised event, and it was a good to see a lot of Hearts supports sitting in what is traditionally the away end as well and filling that.

“There’s been a lot of time for it to sink in, since we won it three or four weeks ago. It wasn’t like winning the Scottish Cup. It was a little bit different.”

Callum Anderson, owner of the Dickens Lounge Bar in Dalry Road, hoisted a huge banner reading “Congratulations to the Champions” on to the roof of his bar, and said he had 100 fans in his pub on Saturday night – but added that the atmosphere “has been great all season”.

“The Hearts fans have been amazing, turning out in numbers in every pub in the vicinity. Saturday night was the same.”