Hearts haven’t exactly reacted well to missing out on the league to Celtic.
Not only have their accusations of assault on their players during the post-match pitch invasion remained unproven, but their attempt to shift focus to the end of the game has completely backfired.
It all points towards a club not used to being in these kinds of situations, in denial that things didn’t go their way.
Few in the media have been as straight to the point as Darren O’Dea, who hit the nail on the head this week.
Is this Celtic side underrated because domestic success feels routine?
Darren O’Dea: Hearts’ Celtic response ‘dealing in emotion’
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, O’Dea said: “This goes back to the Motherwell game [and] the handball incident.
“What happened off the back of that was that there was universal outroar. It wasn’t a Scottish thing, it was universal.
READ MORE: Hugh Keevins issues apology to Martin O’Neill, wears his Celtic tracksuit
“There was different people out — that I don’t even want to mention — that got involved, that have never been in Scottish football… which, by the way, is brilliant for the game, it brought attention to it.
“It just came to fever pitch and it came to boiling point. And, by the way, I completely understand why everyone other than Celtic people, and maybe Hibs, wanted Hearts to win.
“I totally get it. Totally get it. If that was an English game, I would want the underdog to win. Of course you would. You want to see someone different. I love Man City, but the year Leicester won it, I thought it was brilliant. You watch it, I totally get it.
“But what I find a bit strange is: when you’re running clubs, and you’re part of the actual infrastructure of it, you can’t deal in emotion.
“It wasn’t just the Scottish game, it was the whole universal thing that was just out of emotion. Statements have been put out through emotion rather than actually letting time breathe.
Just how badly has the SFA’s VAR audio from the Premiership finale reflected on Hearts…
“What I find weird is [that] Hearts did do it, and then came out later, when you should’ve really calmed down and looked at everything. It’s done, it’s dusted.
“As I said: Celtic won nine of their last ten games. They deserved to win it. I totally get why everyone was rooting for Hearts, ultimately it didn’t happen.
“But this is why I think there’s been so much [backlash] to it. Because it’s just pure emotion. And people need to calm down now.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
