17 brilliant photos of Hearts fans this season as support goes continental
Hearts fans are looking forward to the Derek McInnes era at Tynecastle as a busy summer transfer window dawns.
A tough Premiership season was endured amid a bottom six finish with Steven Naismith then Neil Critchley sacked as head coach. Fans supported the team through thick and thin regardless in a term that's taken them abroad into Europe plus up and down the nation.
Now with Tony Bloom's proposed investment on the table, supporters will hope it can take Hearts into a position of strength consistently. Charting the journey from pre season to matchday 38, here are some of the best photos of Hearts fans in this season now past.
1 . Kick off
The season started off with supporters marchinh along the Maroon Mile ahead of the Leyton Orient friendly. | SNS Group Photo Sales
2 . Competitive start
The Premiership term begins versus Rangers. | SNS Group Photo Sales
3 . Meeting a legend
Gary Locke with punters in Plzen | SNS Group Photo Sales
4 . Selfie time
There was a chance for young Hearts fans to meet one of their heroes ahead of facing Viktoria Plzen. | SNS Group Photo Sales
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The Guardian
31 minutes ago
- The Guardian
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Should Leicester fail to reach this year's Premiership final they will have been floored by a familiar foe. George Ford spent two spells totalling nine years at Welford Road and made his Tigers first-team debut as a 16-year-old. It says everything about his enduring desire and dedication that, aged 32 and clad in the blue of Sale Sharks, his tactical decision-making grows sharper by the year. Whether he is kicking teams to death or slicing them apart with his deft short passing game, the GF menu of fly-half skills remains rich and varied. His fellow squad members all regard him as a coach in waiting, so good is he at steering them around the field and managing pressure situations. When Michael Cheika, Leicester's head coach, expressed bafflement at Ford's omission from this year's British and Irish Lions squad, he was by no means alone. The only missing elements, arguably, have been more end-of-season trophies and greater public appreciation. Having been named world junior player of the year in 2011, Ford has subsequently had to jostle with the ultra-competitive Owen Farrell, the mercurial Marcus Smith and, latterly, the fast-rising Fin Smith. If the coming weeks yield a century of England caps – he is on 99 – and a first Premiership title for Sale since 2006 it would be due reward for his playmaking and perseverance. Sitting in a London hotel lobby, all dressed up for this week's Premiership awards, what comes across is his absolute determination to keep pushing himself. In theory it would be easy to nudge a single in Argentina next month, raise his bat and retreat to his northern pavilion to spend more time with his young family. In reality the cricketing metaphor doesn't really fit – 'I've never got to 99. Maybe nine trying to get to 10 …' – and there is still fire in his trim, tuxedo-ed belly. 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Ford, though, won't be particularly relying on his local east midlands knowledge. 'I suppose it does bring back memories but it's weird. You're that focused on the game you don't take them into consideration that much. It's: 'Right, let's get the job done today'. It's quite a ruthless way of thinking but that's what we need to do.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Experience has also taught him that, on the biggest days, the secret is to stay calm and keep things simple. 'Knockout games are different, aren't they? Everyone knows what's riding on it. But ironically it's not about big things or special things. It's about how consistently well you can do the basics. Good things and special things will then come off that.' There is more to Ford, though, than just an expert tactical brain. 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Scotsman
32 minutes ago
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32 minutes ago
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