Hearts of gold

If they stuck by their managers, if they had paid their players every week, if their house was in order.

If, if, if...

If it was not for Vladimir Romanov, a man who has a lot to answer for at Hearts.

Tomorrow the Jambos could lift a major trophy at Hampden — that’s ANOTHER trophy.

With everything that has gone on at Tynecastle in the last few years it is incredible they are on the verge of silverware once more.

Hearts are the Scottish Cup holders and now St Mirren stand between them and the League Cup.

I’ve heard it said the Jambos don’t deserve any success given Vlad’s behaviour. I don’t go along with that.

It is down to the men who step over the white line that Hearts have been successful.

It is amazing they have had any success given all the turmoil.

It should be John McGlynn leading his team out tomorrow. But his dismissal was the latest in a long line of sackings at Hearts.

Then there are the wages Vlad has not been paying on a regular basis.

Not to mention tax bills to HMRC.

The off-the-field stuff has got to have had a major affect on everyone at Tynecastle.

And yet they are still on course for a cup double.

If Hearts win it will put everything to one side for a day at least, and no one could deny their supporters that.

Whatever you say about the Hearts support, they are so loyal.

The atmosphere at Tynecastle is always ferocious and it’s down to them.

In many ways Hearts are like the Millwall of Scottish football because of that.

It is the only SPL ground in Scotland I never scored at, but I always loved it there. The crowd was fantastic no matter what. They will be travelling to Glasgow in their thousands ready to back their team.

If you are asking me though I hope St Mirren win.

But the only reason I say that is because I used to live in Renfrewshire and I would often go into Paisley for a coffee.

It is a football town and I would like to see them win a trophy for the first time in years.

It will be a close game and one I’m looking forward to.

I always find it interesting when Celtic or Rangers are not in national finals.

There isn’t a heavy favourite, and both sets of fans will be heading to Hampden believing it is going to be their day.

Both teams will need their big players to perform, like on any major football occasion.

In Saints’ case that will be little Paul McGowan, who I remember from Celtic. He has done well since he left Parkhead and shown himself to be a very capable player.

He was immense against his old club in the semi-final.

In the Hearts line-up they have a few reliable men, with Andy Webster the one who sticks out.

I can recall a few bruising clashes with him down the years.

But hopefully this will be an attractive final with both teams capable of getting the ball down on the deck.

I like Danny Lennon and the way he has gone about his business since taking charge at Saints.

Things have not gone great for them in the league this season, but they have been safe from relegation for a long time now.

Lennon has worked wonders on a limited budget and stands on the threshold of greatness. Beating Celtic in the manner they did in the semi-final was incredible.

Nobody gave them a chance of winning and yet they deserved to reach the final.

That will give them enormous confidence going into this game now, but they have not won anything yet.

It is all about which group of players walk up those steps and lift the trophy above their heads.

I did it several times at Hampden and, trust me on this, it’s something to cherish.

It will just come down to who wants it more on the day.

Hearts’ players are 90 minutes away from back-to-back trophy wins, while Saints’ stars can write their names into a history book that’s been lying on the shelf for decades.