Rangers have their Hearts broken

A 1-0 win at home to Aberdeen on Wednesday evening, courtesy of a second-half penalty from Paul Hartley, meant the Edinburgh side cannot be caught by Rangers, despite the two sides meeting in the final game of the season at Ibrox on Sunday.

And crucially this ensures it will be Hearts who will take their place in the Champions League qualifiers next season instead of the Ibrox club who will now have to contend with playing in the Uefa Cup.

This success comes at the end of a topsy turvy season for the Tynecastle club under the ownership of owner Vladimir Romanov. The Lithuanian sacked Burley, despite the fact he led Hearts to the top of the league by going 10 games unbeaten, and then also axed his successor Rix, who made way for Ivanauskas.

However, the current head coach took time out to praise the contributions made by the two men and everyone who works behind the scenes at the club.

"It is a big relief to have finished second as it has been a very difficult season and an interesting nine months," said Ivanauskas. "We must remember the contribution of George Burley and Graham Rix and it is a victory for everybody. Starting with George's team right through to our kit man and medical staff."

Hearts' qualification for next season's Champions League means for the first time a Scottish team from outside Glasgow will compete in Europe's premier club competition.

And Ivanauskas realised the size of the achievement that he and his players had realised.

"It is a big, big day for me and also the players and the supporters. It's unbelievable," he said. "The city of Edinburgh wants the Champions League and the supporters want it but it has been difficult. I'm very happy with Champions League qualification and it is a big day for the club."

Hearts' success also sparked celebrations in the tiny Scottish borders town of Gretna as it meant the Second Division champions qualify for the Uefa Cup as finalists in the Scottish Cup, where they will play the Tynecastle club on May 13 at Hampden.

Gretna's owner Brooks Mileson thanked Hearts and Romanov for making his dream come true.

"It's fantastic. I would like to thank Hearts and Vladimir, not just for doing Gretna a great favour, but also for being brilliant for Scottish football on a whole this season," he said.

Hearts have certainly been a breath of fresh air to the Scottish game. Their second-place finish was the first time in 11 years that both Celtic and Rangers have not occupied the top two spots in the SPL.

However, life behind the scenes at Tynecastle has been equally as exciting.

No less than four men have been handed the reigns of the first-team squad during the current campaign, with Burley, caretaker coach John McGlynn, Rix and finally Ivanauskas all filling the role.

Shortly after Burley's sacking Hearts chief executive Phil Anderson was also fired and chairperson George Foulkes resigned in protest.

Throughout the season rumours have suggested Romanov has interfered in team selections and he was even alleged to have picked the team for one match when Rix was still in charge.

But the controversies will be forgotten by the club's supporters after the second place finish, especially if they can go on to win the Scottish Cup a week on Saturday at Hampden. -- Sapa-AFP