Immortality beckons - but Hearts must overcome Celtic & weight of history
On Monday afternoon, it was quiet in the Tynecastle Arms, the storied boozer in the footprint of the stadium. A pub but also a strange kind of museum. A pair of boots in a glass box (John Robertson's first pair, local legend has it); a plaque commemorating the 5-1 Scottish Cup final win against Hibs; walls full of photographs, glorious moments captured in time.
Will there be more recent ones now? Those nursing their pints on Monday weren't sure. They want to say yes but they don't want to get their hopes up either.
They fear heartbreak. They've had it before. A few of them were there on the last day at Dens Park in 1986 when a dream turned into their greatest nightmare.
One man's father was there in 1965 when they were denied again. Trauma passed down the generations. "I didn't know what to do with myself afterwards," says Mark of that afternoon in 1986 when the league slipped through their fingers in defeat against Dundee.
"I remember the goals that beat us and I remember this incredible feeling of wanting to get the hell out of there as fast as possible. I remember walking forever to get the bus and all the way along I saw grown men in tears and being consoled by their sons and daughters. "That sticks with me.