In celebration of Hearts’ 150th year, the Gorgie outfit are set to welcome English Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur to Tynecastle for a glamour friendly on this evening.
It will be the first time the sides have met for 13 years, when the two sides were drawn against each other in the UEFA Europa League. It was a tie which Spurs won 5-0 on aggregate, thanks to a first-leg demolition in Edinburgh.
Goals from Rafeal Van der Vaart, Jermain Defoe and Jake Livermore put the visitors into a commanding lead after just 30 minutes before strikes from Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon ensured the North London side would qualify for the next stage with consummate ease. Hearts would perform admirably in the second leg, drawing 0-0 at White Hart Lane - but the damage was already done by that stage.
While the 2011/2012 season started with the this heavy defeat, it would end in glory for Hearts as they lifted the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park, defeating rivals Hibs 5-1 at the home of Scottish football.
17. Andrew Driver - Hearts
The former youth international left Hearts in 2012 to sign for MLS side Houston Dynamo. He returned to Scotland for a short stint with Aberdeen before ending his career with Eredivisie outfit De Graafschap. His current whereabouts are unknown, however. | SNS Group/SRU
18. Gareth Bale - Spurs
One of the most decorated players in British history, Bale retired in 2023 after a stint in the MLS with LA Galaxy. Awarded an MBE in 2022, the Welsh wizard moved to Real Madrid in 2013 and won five UEFA Champions League trophies, three La Liga titles, three FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and the Supercopa. He also lead Wales to the semi final of Euro 2016. Incredible. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
19. Ryan Stevenson - Hearts
The Drongan-born forward had a very nomadic career after leaving Tynecastle in 2016. He appeared for Partick Thistle, Ayr United, Dumbarton, Raith Rovers, Annan Athletic, Troon, Stranraer and Albion Rovers. He was most recently appointed manager of Glenafton Athletic in 2022, however, they confirmed he had resigned from his position as manager at the club just a year after after taking the role. Writes a column for the Daily Record. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
20. Jermain Defoe - Spurs
The ninth-highest goal scorer in the history of the EPL, Defoe was another Spurs player that found his way to Scotland later in his career. Defoe signed for Rangers in 2018 and lifted the one and only league title of his career at Ibrox in 2021. Retiring in March 2022, he was recently under-18s coach at Tottenham but left the club earlier this week. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group