Ryan Stevenson’s title celebration comments have immediately come back to haunt Hearts after their costly slip against Motherwell reopened the Scottish Premiership race.
With Celtic beating Rangers and pressure suddenly shifting again, the noise around Tynecastle celebrations now looks badly premature.
Stevenson told Record Sport: “It would just be so fitting to do it at home in front of the supporters. I just hope the Gods are looking down on Hearts!
“I can imagine the streets will be awash in maroon no matter what. Outside the ground as well would just be unreal. Regardless, the main thing is making sure it happens now.
“It would be something I think as [Hearts] fans we all hope happens on Wednesday as it’ll be scenes we will be able to take to the grave with us.”
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Motherwell gave Celtic title inspiration vs Rangers
Those comments landed very differently after Hearts followed the title-party discussion with a 1-1 draw against Motherwell.
Hearts failed to move six points clear of Celtic and suddenly the confidence around Edinburgh does not look quite so convincing.
That is the danger of talking too much about celebrations before the job is actually finished. Football has a habit of punishing anybody who starts looking beyond the next result.
Stevenson did say the “main thing” was making sure it happens, but the wider discussion around trophy presentations and title-winning scenes now looks awkward after dropped points at Fir Park.
Celtic now have the exact response they needed
Celtic do not need extra motivation before a Glasgow Derby, but Hearts handed them exactly that anyway.
The title race narrative shifted again the second Motherwell took points off Hearts. Celtic have now piled more pressure straight back onto Derek McInnes’ side.
There are still two games left for Hearts, including a final-day clash with Celtic, and that alone should have been enough reason to avoid getting carried away with title-party talk.
Scottish Premiership races can change quickly. Hearts were reminded of that at Motherwell, and Stevenson’s comments now look far more uncomfortable than they did a few days ago after Celtic hammered Rangers 3-1.
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