Ryan Stevenson has never been known for pulling punches when it comes to Celtic, but his latest comments about Hearts sounded like a man struggling to come to terms with how quickly his club’s dream has unravelled.
Only weeks after Celtic broke Hearts in Scottish Premiership title race, Stevenson is now warning of disaster, supporter unrest and a club heading in the wrong direction. For Celtic supporters, the irony is impossible to miss. Stevenson spent much of last season talking up Hearts’ chances of toppling Celtic. Now he is the one warning of disaster.
Hearts spent much of last season believing they could finally knock Celtic off their perch, with Stevenson among those repeatedly talking up their chances of toppling the champions.
Instead, Martin O’Neill’s side retained the title, Derek McInnes is on his way out and uncertainty now surrounds one of Scottish football’s biggest clubs.
Chris Sutton slates Ryan Stevenson’s hit-piece on Wilfried Nancy
Celtic shattered Hearts’ title dream and Stevenson still looks rattled
The extent of Stevenson’s frustration became obvious when he attempted to explain just how quickly Hearts’ title dream had unravelled.
The former Hearts man wrote in the Daily Record, “They were three minutes away from winning the league just a month ago. Now to be here is horrendous.
“I’m not saying Hearts will finish bottom six, but stranger things have happened.
“They are in a terrible, terrible position right now.”
And that was only the start of it.
There is no doubt Hearts have endured a difficult few weeks.
They finished second in the Premiership and came closer to Celtic than many expected.
What makes Stevenson’s comments so striking is the sheer scale of the doom and gloom.
Hearts have gone from title challengers to a club facing important decisions, but listening to Stevenson it seems a total Tynecastle collapse is around the corner.
Celtic fans will enjoy hearing Stevenson turn his fire on Hearts
For years, Stevenson has been more than happy to offer strong opinions on Celtic.
This time his frustration is aimed much closer to home.
He continued, “Listen, see if Derek wants to go [to Rangers], he’s going to go, and if the compensation gets reached, fine, I understand that.
“But just come out and say they are fighting to keep their manager and if there is no choice but for Derek to go, then we’re going to do everything we possibly can to make sure that we’re ready for the start of the season.”
The criticism centres on communication from Hearts, but it also highlights the enormity of disappointment that exists around Tynecastle following the end of the campaign.
Losing McInnes is significant. Losing him so soon after missing out on the title only adds to the frustration.
Celtic remain the benchmark despite Tony Bloom excitement
One of the most interesting parts of Stevenson’s rant involved Tony Bloom’s long-term project.
Stevenson said, “Yes it’s a 10-year plan under Tony Bloom.
“But if the next five years are terrible, do you think everybody’s just going to go, it’s okay, it’s a 10-year plan?
“If they start the season badly, the wheels will come off and by Christmas it’ll be uproar.”
Bloom’s investment may excite Hearts supporters, but Celtic remain the standard every ambitious Scottish club is trying to reach.
Yet Stevenson’s comments underline a reality Celtic supporters already understand. Ambitious plans are one thing. Delivering success while dealing with pressure and expectation is another entirely.
Celtic supporters can see why Hearts are hurting right now
At its core, this feels like a reaction to disappointment.
Hearts believed they could take Celtic’s crown. Instead, Celtic finished the job, retained their place at the top and left Hearts facing a summer of uncertainty.
Stevenson may have intended to criticise Hearts’ leadership, but his comments also revealed just how painful the last few weeks have been for those connected with the club.
When one of Celtic’s most vocal critics starts talking about disaster, upheaval and uproar, supporters in Glasgow’s east end will not need much convincing that Hearts are hurting.
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