Published: 12:00, 7 November 2025 | Updated: 12:00, 7 November 2025

For Hearts fans of a certain vintage, giddiness typically comes with a caveat or two.

In 1964-65, Hearts were top by two points heading into the final day. In 1985-86 they again went into the final weekend of the season top of the table after going 27 games in a row without losing. In 2005-06 they were unbeaten table-toppers after 10 matches under George Burley.

There was also the time former owner Vladimir Romanov boldly claimed Hearts could go on to win the Champions League in the next five years after taking over in 2005. All would prove false dawns.

In 1965, they lost the title on goal average to Kilmarnock. The team that faced Dundee at Dens Park in 1986 went down 2-0 and agonisingly lost the league title on goal difference to Celtic. Burley’s boys were flying high after eight wins from 10 when he was dramatically sacked in 2005. In the Romanov era they did indeed make it into the Champions League in 2006, but only as far as the...