Andy Murray & Josh Taylor want Hearts title win

Sir Andy Murray and Josh Taylor. Two of Scotland's sporting greats, and both Hibs fans. Hibs fans who think a Hearts title win would be "a good thing" for the game.

It might be hard to find anyone in the three home stands for Sunday's Edinburgh derby at Easter Road sharing that sentiment.

Particularly based on some of the vitrol which has been directed at the tennis champion and boxer on social media since making their observations.

Hearts sit top of the Scottish Premiership with five games to go, having last been champions in 1960.

Rangers and Celtic, who have scooped up every title since 1985-86, are breathing down their necks. Three points cover the top three going into the division's split.

"I'll probably get hammered for this," two-time Wimbledon champion Murray acknowledged, before telling Sky Sports that "I think it's a good thing for Scottish football if Hearts were able to win".

"People are asking me about Scottish football - that never really happens. So there is obviously a lot of interest in it."

Taylor, Britain's first undisputed world champion in the four-belt era, said the Old Firm domination was "boring".

Writing on X, he added: "As painful as it may be as a Hibs fan, it would be good for Scottish sport/football."

But are their views in keeping with those of the wider Easter Road fanbase?

Hibs sit fifth, 19 points behind Hearts. David Gray's side are in a tussle with Motherwell to finish fourth, which would guarantee a place in the Conference League qualifiers.

Making up points in that mini-race is likely to be an afterthought for most supporters at the weekend, though.

When Hearts suffered final-day heartache in 1986, losing out on goal difference to Celtic, a meagre crowd at Easter Road celebrated wildly as their team fell 2-1 to Dundee United and finished eighth in a 10-team division.

Albert Kidd scored both Dundee goals that day as Hearts faltered and a decade later received the player of year accolade from a Hibs' supporters group in Australia.

"If we can put a bee in their bonnet and stop them from doing what they want to do, then that is what we want to do, naturally," Hibs defender Warren O'Hora said last week, politely picking his words.

Hearts will cross the city having picked up just one point from their past four games on the road.

Hibs won the last derby on their own patch, a 3-2 thriller in December, when they spurned a chance to go 4-0 up early in the second half and ended up clinging on.

Gray's side were unbeaten at home in the derby last season, with a win and a draw, while Hearts have been victorious in only one of their past seven league visits.

"Sunday is a big one," Murray added. "That is Hibs' chance to dent their hopes. I hope Hibs win that, obviously."

George: As a Hibby, I come from the same place as Andy Murray. We need to beat them this coming weekend in order to progress our hope for European football next season. However, that said, it would be great to see the Old Firm hold on Scottish football broken, even if only for one year, because they will buy their way back to the top as they continue to out-earn the rest of Scottish clubs.

Murray: I think it's a bid sad that most Hibs fans would rather see Celtic or Rangers win the league. Anybody but the Old Firm is my motto and still is as a lifelong Hibs fan. Hearts winning would shake things up, it would also pull Hibs up to improve.

Iain: Yes and no! Nice to see someone else win league, think Hearts have done well but unfortunately let themselves down recently. Rangers to win I think.

Gary: Absolutely not. It's been a long time since Rangers won it so talk of "Old Firm dominance" is a bit skewed when it's really just been Celtic winning it, bar once, for the last dozen plus years. So I'd far rather see Rangers winning it again than Hearts, if we are just hoping for a change."

Mark: It's quite embarrassing for Scotland that only two teams have won the league in over forty years, but, obviously, Hearts are the last team any Hibby would want to win it instead. However, if Hearts breaking through the glass ceiling leads to other teams, especially Hibs, winning the league in the near future, it might be good for everyone in the long run. Scotland needs more big teams, with bigger stadiums, putting in a challenge.

Graeme: Eh, No.

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