At this rate, there’s going to be a surge in demand for heart-rate monitors among the maroon-clad supporters from Edinburgh.
Every Hearts game is now a high-stakes drama, with each tackle, header, and shot inducing moments of palpable tension.
And every contentious decision serves as an invitation to erupt, which Hearts duly did during this frantic encounter at Motherwell.
When Alexandros Kyziridis went down in the 68th minute following an incident involving Tawanda Maswanhise, it appeared Hearts would be granted a golden opportunity to take a 2-1 lead from the penalty spot.
However, referee Steven McLean waved play on, prompting VAR Greg Aitken to intervene. Aitken summoned McLean to the pitch-side monitor, but the referee remained unmoved.
“He [Kyziridis] was impeded,” Hearts manager Derek McInnes later stated. “It’s such a poor decision and the main talking point. I don’t understand why that wasn’t a penalty.”
Conversely, Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou disagreed: “There wasn’t enough in it,” he argued. “There was some contact, but minimal. Kyziridis exaggerated the contact.”
While perspectives vary, this season is poised for a captivating finale. A historically impressive campaign is almost certain to go down to the wire now.
Hearts remained unbeaten and resolute, but sustained damage. They dropped two points and lost two players. Marc Leonard and the influential defensive linchpin, Craig Halkett, were forced off with injuries, ruling them out of the final two games of the season.
At the final whistle, the players acknowledged their fans, expressing gratitude for their unwavering and passionate support, even after the draw was confirmed.
The supporters’ throats would have been in need of soothing relief. Their minds? No doubt scrambled. They will seek solace in the fact that a point at Fir Park is not a disastrous result, especially with Celtic scheduled to visit on Wednesday.
Whether it’s a valuable point or a missed opportunity will only become clear next week.
However, the injuries present further obstacles for Hearts. McInnes has alternative centre-backs, but none possess Halkett’s unique qualities. Cammy Devlin can fill Leonard’s role, but he is only recently recovered from his own injury.
No one ever said this would be easy. Indeed, most observers doubted Hearts’ ability to sustain their challenge, but they remain in contention, fueled by unwavering belief.
In a season defined by its unpredictable nature, Hearts have displayed a remarkable consistency. Trailing by a goal three games ago against Motherwell, they emerged victorious. Trailing by a goal two games ago against Hibs, they secured another win. Trailing by a goal a game ago against Rangers, they triumphed once more.
And after conceding the opening goal against Motherwell again on Saturday, against a Motherwell side acutely aware of Hearts’ resilience and tenacity, the pattern continued.
They learned this lesson the hard way, back in the third game of the campaign, when some were still dismissing Tony Bloom’s bold predictions of challenging the Old Firm and winning the Premiership within a decade.
Motherwell led 3-0 in that encounter, remember? They ultimately clung on for a draw.
This is what Hearts do. They maintain composure even when outplayed, as they were for much of the first half here, or outfought, as they were in the opening half at Tynecastle against Rangers on Monday.
So, when Motherwell took the lead in this match, it was familiar territory. Not their preferred position, but one they have encountered frequently.
They were second-best for periods, but when you have Lawrence Shankland in your ranks, you always have hope. Hearts have lost five league games this season, and he has only featured in one of those – in which he scored.
A left-footed strike secured victory against Rangers on Monday, and a right-footed finish salvaged a point at Motherwell, an emphatic close-range effort whose significance remains to be seen.
If Hearts do ultimately win the title, a statue will surely be erected in honor of their captain – not that he requires a monument to ensure his leadership and goals are remembered.
His influence would be etched into the hearts and minds of every Hearts supporter. If. The eternal question.
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McInnes rages at penalty call after Hearts held at Motherwell
This was another contest that would have frazzled the nerves of every spectator.
It is remarkable how these fans are still standing upright, given the heart-stopping drama that has unfolded over recent times, the rollercoaster of panic, dread, and unconfined joy. It’s the kind of experience that calls for smelling salts and stretchers.
Motherwell, impressive for much of the season, have faltered recently, but nonetheless, the game presented a significant challenge for McInnes’ team.
Early in the second half, Stephen O’Donnell scored to make it 2-1, igniting celebrations at Fir Park. The away end gasped, and VAR intervened, ruling it offside. Just barely. Inches. Millimeters. Incredibly tight, but offside.
Hearts were under siege. They had already lost Leonard at the end of the first half, and now the medics were rushing to attend to the influential Halkett. He was carried off the field.
For supporters prone to omens and superstitions, the sight of the seemingly unbreakable centre-back being broken was a worrying sign.
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Hearts pressed forward in search of the goal that would bring them within touching distance of the title. Kyziridis then went down inside the box, prompting frantic appeals from the Hearts fans, who pointed at Maswanhise as if he had committed a heinous crime.
VAR intervened, and as McLean headed towards the monitor, the Hearts fans erupted in cheers as if a goal had already been scored. They had already envisioned the scene – a penalty, Shankland stepping up, and Shankland scoring.
However, McLean did what few referees do these days. He reviewed the footage and stood by his original decision – no penalty.
Hearts erupted in fury. The level of gesticulation rivaled that of a squad of policemen directing traffic at a busy intersection. McInnes and his coaching staff were incensed, and assistant manager Paul Sheerin received a booking for his protests.
All the while, one wondered what further drama awaited, what late twist the football Gods, seemingly intoxicated by drama in recent months, had in store.
McInnes turned to his bench. Pierre-Landry Kabore had a shot saved, Kyziridis headed over the bar, and Maswanhise weakly appealed for a penalty that was never given.
The teams battled like alley cats, displaying relentless aggression and sky-high tension.
It was a nervy thriller, and one suspects it will not be the last time we witness such a spectacle. The finish line is in sight, but much can still transpire.
Next up: Celtic’s clash with Rangers on Sunday. Prepare for more drama.