Hearts fan’s Facebook bid to name baby after hero

For mum-to-be Emma Wilson has agreed her son can be named after Hearts legend Paul Hartley, in honour of his Scottish Cup heroics in 2006.

That’s if partner Grant McDermid can get 1000 “likes” for his proposal on Facebook.

But that seems a formality as the 24-year-old, of Sighthill Crescent, has already amassed the support of more than 500 people in just four days, leaving him halfway to becoming a dad to Josh Hartley McDermid.

The couple’s baby boy is due on April 2, the sixth anniversary of the Hampden Park semi-final derby which Hearts won 4-0 en route to lifting the Scottish Cup.

Unsurprisingly for such a diehard Jambo, that date is lodged firmly in Grant’s mind, and he revealed Emma, 23, was starting to get nervous.

Grant said: “As soon as I heard the due date I thought of Hartley’s finest moment against Hibs.

“My mates and I were having a bit of banter about it when Emma stupidly said that if I got 1000 people to like it on Facebook then she’d allow it.

“My friend, Alex McCluskie, helped me set up the page on Saturday night and we couldn’t believe that we had over 200 by Sunday.

“Emma still thought we’d never get near the full 1000 though.

“She’s changing her mind now though.

“I’m aware that due dates aren’t exactly set in stone so even if he’s born before or after April 2 we’ll still do it.

“It would be too late to back out by then. Besides, he’ll still carry the name of a Hearts legend.”

Hartley, 35, left Hearts in 2007 after four and a half years to join Celtic. He later played for Aberdeen before becoming player/manager at Alloa Athletic last summer.

The midfielder said he felt honoured by the tribute.

“I think it’s a nice gesture, if a little odd,” he said. “It’s great to see that the Hearts fans still think of me, as I had some great times at the club.

“I wish Grant, Emma and Josh all the best in life and maybe one day there will be another Hartley in a Hearts shirt.”