As the dust settles on a disappointing Rangers draw at Tynecastle – and the vociferous anger is somewhat quelled – can we look at the result and the point with different eyes?
Yes, the XI did not meet our expectations as a support and there was a distinct lack of drive, determination and commitment in our performance.
Symbolically, losing top spot two weeks after claiming it is another cause for concern and – rightly or wrongly – brings into question the winning mentality of this squad.
But, and this is the important part, we will not play well in every game this season and we will drop more points between now and the end of May.
The same can be said of Celtic.
Yesterday’s abject performance was as much a surprise as it was a frustration. We were expected to roll a struggling Hearts side over.
But true to tradition, they dug deep and made Tynecastle the notorious banana skin that it always has been. Celtic must still travel there twice.
For a side which could only muster one shot on target and who spent much of the game drawn into Hearts’ murderball, there’s an argument here that we did well to get a point.
It’s certainly better than a defeat.
And whilst we might be second on goals scored – not even goal difference – the smart money is on us regaining top spot this weekend.
Even if both Rangers and Celtic win, you imagine we’re in a better position to do so by a bigger margin against Motherwell at Ibrox than Celtic are in a tricky away trip to Aberdeen.
It’s two points dropped – there’s no doubt about it – but when we have an off day we’ve still managed to grind out a point despite it not clicking.
It can happen at every level – just look at Liverpool’s stuttering showing in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United after the game at Tynecastle.
For all the commitment, guile and tenacity of United – and the abject performance of Liverpool – the Reds still ground out a point which could be a pivotal one in their title race.
