Two wins from title? Hearts on verge of unthinkable glory

[BBC]

Hearts are now in a position that no-one thought they would be in at this stage of the season.

They now know that victories in their next three matches - and probably just the next two - will make them Scottish top-flight champions for the first time since 1960.

That statement alone is just nuts.

Back in 1960 the Scottish top flight looked very different. There were 18 teams in what was then called Scottish League Division One.

Only 34 matches were played, with each team playing every other twice.That season Hearts won 23 of their 34 matches and lost only three times - to Kilmarnock and Motherwell on the road, with a solitary home defeat against St Mirren the only blemish at Tynecastle.

Back in those days there were only two points for a win, and their final total of 54 gave them a four-point advantage over second-placed Kilmarnock.

The manager at the time was the legendary Tommy Walker. Born in Livingston, he played nearly 250 games and scored over 100 goals for the club before taking on the manager's job in 1951, a role he held for 15 years.

Oh, how managers today would wish to stay in a job for that long.

But Hearts fans cannot get too far ahead of themselves. There is still work to be done to complete the job.

Motherwell have arguably been the most problematic opponents for Hearts this season. Some may forget that they ripped Hearts apart for an hour at the start of the season before a stunning fightback snatched a point.

The outcome of Saturday night's game may well determine exactly what will be required when Falkirk come to Tynecastle next week for the final home match of the season.

One thing is for sure: there will be nerves, tension and probably a few sleepless nights for Hearts fans. Praying that their dreams will come true, they don't have long to wait before they find out.