Eighties are back in again at Tynecastle but beware the sting

ANDREW SMITH

GIVEN the choice, Hearts supporters surely would choose to erase the memories of the cruellest of climaxes to what had been the sweetest of seasons. The Tynecastle faithful, though, must be powerless to prevent their minds scrolling back to all aspects of their 1985-86 league campaign - the excruciating end included - whenever they find themselves in a dwam over where their faultless record over their first five games of this season might lead them ... Not to the depths of having the championship torn from their grasps with seven minutes of the season remaining, they will pray.

It was enough that this befell them on May 3, 1986 when they lost 2-0 away to Dundee as title-snatchers Celtic cuffed St Mirren 5-0 on May 3, 1986 - the week before Aberdeen completed the most depressing double-whammy imaginable in beating them 3-0 in the Scottish Cup final. And yet, and yet ,..

So far away have the Edinburgh club since been from anything approaching the form that took them within an ace of the league crown that season, the nearly men status attributed to Alex MacDonald's squad ought now to be considered a badge of honour as opposed to a pin to poke them with. A 27-game unbeaten league run, then a record for the Premier Division, and a 31-match sequence without a loss came to an end that devilish day at Dens Park. But the pain endures.

"In retrospect, what I regret most is how we were during the bus on the way back to Edinburgh that evening," says John Colquhoun, the only outfield player to feature in all 36 of Hearts' Premier encounters that term. "Every time we passed supporters' buses they would wave to us but we wouldn't react. We were too embarrassed because we felt we had failed them. Now I realise we didn't. We simply came up short at the end of an amazingly rollercoaster season."

Like the striker who misses a chance but is appreciated simply for being in the scoring position in the first place, there is a convincing argument for stating that Hearts deserve only admiration for leading the 1985-86 title race for so long. For, in complete contrast to the current team, MacDonald's team could hardly have made a poorer start. They recorded only one win across their first five matches, a 6-2 thumping at St Mirren in their second league outing prime among the results that sent them tumbling to the foot of the table come September.

Hearts fans would have cause to reflect ruefully on the fact that their season opened with their team entertaining Celtic. Colquhoun gave the home side a lead that appeared set to bring them victory only for Paul McStay to pop up with an equaliser listed as arriving in '89 and a half' minutes. "That was a microcosm of our season," says the former Tynecastle player, now an agent.

MacDonald's men deserve respect because the league in which they powered along "like a juggernaut", according to Colquhoun was infinitely stronger than the current set- up. In addition to the Old Firm, Hearts began the season pitting themselves against an Aberdeen side that had won the Cup- Winners' Cup only two years earlier and a Dundee United team that would reach the final of the UEFA Cup the following year.

"People talk about us being a hard-working collective unit but we had some marvellous players and Alex MacDonald, one of the finest coaches I have known," says Colquhoun. "He imposed a style of play that had us hunting in packs all over the field but we could only play this way because, firstly, we were the fittest team in the league by miles, and, secondly, we had the talent to make it work.

"Sandy Jardine was one of the best defenders this country has produced, and that is what Craig Levein would have been but for injury. If I had 10 Sandy Clarks on my books now I'd never have to work again, while John Robertson was an unbelievable finisher. We didn't have the best players but the system we employed made us feel like we couldn't lose."

The backing MacDonald's side received from their legions in the terraces of Tynecastle swept them along from "one enjoyable day to another" and the parallels that Colquhoun sees between now and then revolve around those willing on the men in maroon to annexe a first title since 1959-60. "I have been to a few games at Tynecastle this season and the atmosphere being generated is incredible; just as inspiring as it was in 1985-86," he says, venturing that owner Vladmir Romanov is proving a rallying figurehead in the manner of Wallace Mercer.

"Back then we used to go to supporters' functions because we had such good fun and revelled in the togetherness of team and fans that still exists today. In terms of the Old Firm, I believe there is a different dynamic at work in this relationship. These fans take their lead from what happens on the field whereas Hearts supporters, as they did with us, are taking the initiative and galvanising the players from the off. That is a powerful motivating factor.

"It is impossible to say whether Hearts can last the pace. But I am sure the supporters will continue to drive them forward in the manner they have been and that, coupled with the fact the Old Firm are not as dominant as they were, means that you never can tell."

Coluqhoun, like just about everyone else of a Hearts disposition, admits weeping inconsolably after the late double from Dundee substitute Albert Kidd condemned them to the defeat that destroyed their league chances. "You couldn't not," says a man who considers Hearts were cursed in entering this game with the false security of knowing a draw would have been enough for them to become champions. He believes it was inevitable that the loss of the title in such circumstances would leave them with "nothing to give" in the cup final. Well, nothing except more lachrymose moments. "My abiding memory is of 3,000 fans turning up to the Caledonian Hotel where we were holding a post- final reception," he says. "The raw emotion and tears shed that night surpassed anything from Dens Park. It was as if it finally hit home what had happened to us."

Taken from the Scotsman