Chick Young's column

Thankfully, from the Hearts' perspective, the freefalling involved four parachutists-worth of half-time entertainment and not that of their football team.

Heart of Midlothian, it seems, might indeed be the real deal, although false dawns are not rare sightings in the history of Scottish football.

But, let me put it this way. If, at the end of the season, Rangers were to win the championship, would George Burley and his storm-troopers not be savaged for toileting an 11-point lead?

A victory either way and there was always going to be a story emerging from the battleground that was Tynecastle.

And, with Fireworks Phil's pyrotechnics welcoming the players out of the tunnel and the consequent smoke hanging heavy in the breathless autumnal sunshine, it sure did look like something from one of the world's trouble spots.

As a football match, it was non-existent. The ball, I hear, is recovering in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after being stretchered off and is expected to be back to its old bouncy self shortly.

Hearts' players celebrate beating Rangers
Hearts are all smiles at the moment after beating Rangers
But even those of us who like to see a football caressed rather than assaulted could not take our eyes off what was happening as Hearts beat the champions 1-0.

And what happened in the end meant that there is much reason for those of a certain inclination to swagger down the Gorgie Road. Hearts, without a shadow of doubt, will be in the shakedown at the business end of the season.

The question is, will Rangers?

This is a season still in its infancy and, of course, much will twist and turn through the long winter nights and chill afternoons. Celtic fans, for example, found themselves a little confused listening to the radio commentary on Saturday.

Given their own title ambitions, which are in fine enough fettle, they found themselves not absolutely convinced that they wanted Rangers to lose. See? Anything can happen in our crazy wee world of Scottish football.

Of course, when it comes to bewilderment, the look on the faces of the Ibrox support takes some beating. Rangers fans have aged dramatically in the four months since the championship was won.

The disbelief of that May afternoon at Easter Road and Fir Park. Then the delight. Now the dismay. When will Alex McLeish's D-day arrive?

Rangers fans have much to be angry about. The tampering with their team in the transfer window has left a side who look disjointed and without inspiration. The fizz and sparkle has gone and I have to question if the squad has, indeed, been strengthened.

I cannot see, for example, that Olivier Bernard is as good as Michael Ball - or, indeed, Maurice Ross.

Hamed Namouchi does little to justify the manager's faith in him and the character, spirit and downright stubbornness not to be outdone by better players that came to the surface in the victory over Porto is no good if it is only thrown into the mix on special occasions.

Alex McLeish shows his anger during defeat by Hearts
Some fans want to wave goodbye to Alex McLeish
But lynching the manager isn't going to help. Alex McLeish's trophy haul should demand more respect and time from a support who would want to fast forward a game of patience.

Their team is still alive and well in the Champions League and the manager is well aware of the urgency of need for repairs to the domestic campaign.

And, just for the record, Marcello Lippi nor Jose Mourhino are interested in taking over the reigns at Govan. The fans who want McLeish P45d are unable to present a united front on identifying a successor.

In any case, it is insanity to sack your coach four months after completing a double and taking the side to the Champions League.

For all that, McLeish would be a fool not to realise that these are critical times for his career.

At the start of the season, the forecast was good. Celtic, the traditional only challengers, were in disarray of the Artmedia kind and the course to the title was set fair.

But that was then and this is now. The rebirth of Heart of Midlothian has been a spectacular success.

To some, it is a new light in the east.

But be warned. One man's dawn can be another man's dusk.

Taken from the BBC