'It's our time': Hearts fan spends thousands on flights for title bid

A Hearts superfan has spent thousands of pounds on flights from Australia for the chance to see his team contend for the Scottish Premiership title.

If Hearts win tonight's match against Falkirk, and Celtic lose theirs against Motherwell, the Jam Tarts would take the title. Otherwise, it could come down to the final match in Glasgow on Saturday.

It would be the first time in over 40 years that a team other than Celtic or Rangers has won the league.

Colin Brown, who now lives in Sydney, spent A$4,500 (£2,408) on flights to be in Edinburgh this week.

"I bought the flight tickets after the Rangers game [on Monday 4 May] but I decided to come after the Motherwell game [on Saturday 11 April] prior to the split.

"As soon as Landry Kabore put that third goal in, I turned to my wife and said 'I've got to be there'."

The 55-year-old doesn't have a ticket - but his dad and brother have kindly let him borrow the shared family season ticket.

Three flights later, he told BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast: "I'll be there."

A season ago, Hearts finished seventh, a full 42 points behind Celtic.

But ahead of tonight's fixtures, they are on 77 points - the biggest haul of any non-Old Firm team in Premiership history.

If the next few hours and possibly days go their way, they could take the title for the first time in 66 years.

"This is everything," said Colin, who is originally from Edinburgh.

"Apart from the birth of my children, this is the biggest thing. It's the one thing in your life that's constant.

"Hearts are my club and it's the one thing that will never change."

'It's our time'

The Edinburgh team last came close to Premiership victory in 1986.

However, it slipped through their fingers after a loss against Dundee at Den's Park, and Celtic took the trophy instead.

Despite the pressure on the Gorgie boys, Brown has managed to throw off any last minute nervousness.