'Tynecastle's commitment', 'unheralded', 'breathless': How the world media reacted to Hearts' win over Rangers
Hearts staged a second-half comeback against Rangers to go within touching distance of the Scottish Premiership title.
Hearts’ title chances may have been written off by some over the last nine months, but as anyone who witnessed the scenes before, during and after their 2-1 win over Rangers on Monday will surely attest, Derek McInnes’ side are a team to truly believe in.
It looked a little ominous in the first half as Dujon Sterling put the visitors into a deserved lead, but, as they so often have, Hearts were not to be denied as they went three points clear of Celtic at the top of the league, and effectively ended Rangers’ title hopes in the process.
Just three games remain, and twists and turns will surely still arrive. However, the finish line is now in sight for Hearts, and only the most foolish would rule against them achieving what many would have considered as the unthinkable way back in August.
Deservedly celebrated by the capacity crowd in Gorgie at full-time as they took a seismic step towards Tynecastle immortality. It has been a title race that has captured the attention of the world media too, with several outlets lauding Hearts ' breathtaking campaign so far.
We look at how the world media reacted to the game at Tynecastle.
So Foot (France)
“How do you say " breathless " in Scots? There was tension in Edinburgh on Monday, a lot of tension. With four matchdays left in the season, this game between Heart and Rangers had all the makings of a title-deciding match. The pressure cooker had boiled even before kick-off.
“Out of sorts in the first half, Derek McInnes' men deservedly fell behind to a goal from Dujon Sterling (0-1, 23rd minute ). Returning from the dressing room with renewed purpose, they turned the game around, thanks to Stephen Kingsley (1-1, 54th minute ), who pounced on a rebound after a shot hit the post, and Lawrence Shankland (2-1, 71st minute ), who scored with a superb first-time strike. After 40 years of Celtic and Rangers dominance, the Jambos continue their reign at the top of the table, now three points ahead of The Hoops and seven ahead of The Gers . Don't make any plans for Thursday, May 16th, the Celtic-Hearts match on the final day will be worth watching.”
Kicker (Germany)
“Once upon a time, it was a three-way battle: Rangers have dropped out of the Scottish title race - and are in danger of also losing out on the important second place before the Old Firm. The question of which of the three contenders in the highly exciting Scottish Premiership title race would run out of steam first has been answered since Monday evening: Rangers.
Henry Winter (UK)
“History in the making? The connection between Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes and his captain and centre-forward Lawrence Shankland has been one of the most important stories of the Scottish season. McInnes knew Shankland from Aberdeen days. He brought him in from Queen’s Park in 2013, telling RedTV he had “monitored” the teenaged Shankland for a while. Shankland said the moment he spoke to McInnes he wanted to go to Aberdeen. McInnes gave Shankland his debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2014. A bond was forged.
“When McInnes became Hearts head coach last summer, he spoke to Shankland who was considering his options as a free agent. Shankland’s four-year-old daughter Eva famously wanted her dad to stay at Tynecastle because of her love for club mascot Jock the Jambo. McInnes knew how important family was to Shankland, and spoke to the striker about the value of being settled, and also being “ingrained” in the club as he told Hearts TV.”
ESPN (America)
“Captain Lawrence Shankland kept Hearts firmly on course for Premiership glory as they all but eliminated one of their two main rivals from contention by coming from behind to defeat Rangers 2-1 at a frenzied Tynecastle. The Gers arrived in Edinburgh four points off the pace and it looked like they might be about to blow the three-way battle for the championship wide open when they led at the break through Dujon Sterling's deflected effort.
“The buoyant Jambos - who have won each of their last three games - are now three points ahead of second-placed Celtic with a superior goal difference and a whopping seven clear of Gers, with just three games remaining of this compelling Scottish title race.
Associated Press (USA)
“Hearts took a big step toward a stunning and unheralded Scottish Premiership triumph with second-half goals from defender Stephen Kingsley and talismanic forward Lawrence Shankland. Rangers took a first-half lead on Dujon Sterling’s deflected shot.
“The three-team race in a Scottish league title chase for the ages now looks down to two after leader Heart of Midlothian rallied to beat Rangers 2-1 on Monday. Hearts is three points ahead of second-placed Celtic with three rounds left, chasing a first league title for 66 years as a big underdog against richer opponents. Rangers was all but knocked out of the running, now seven points back. Rangers can do Hearts a huge favour on Sunday at Celtic in a Glasgow derby between fierce rivals who have combined to win the league in each of the past 40 years.
Marca (Spain)
“Every match in this title split is crucial. But this was a true test for Hearts , who showed real heart to come back and beat Rangers 2-1 and maintain their position at the top of the table, three points ahead of Celtic , whom they face in the final match. Only three more "finals" remain, and the dream of ending the duopoly in Scotland, which has lasted for the last 40 years, remains alive.
“It took Rangers a quarter of an hour to get going . But from then on, it was clear that Hearts were going to suffer and, above all, needed to capitalize on the atmosphere created at Tynecastle. The entire Edinburgh Hearts fanbase showed once again that they are completely committed to the cause. Hearts practically dealt a fatal blow to Rangers . Next week, Rangers face off at Celtic Park in a match that could prove decisive for the title.
The Independent (UK)
“The result leaves Hearts, who are bidding for a first league title since 1960, three points clear of Celtic and seven ahead of Rangers with just three games remaining. Celtic will host Rangers in the Old Firm next week. Hearts will visit Motherwell next and go to Celtic on the final day of the season, but Shankland’s dramatic winner leaves the title in their hands as they bid to become the first champions outside of the Old Firm since 1985.”
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