The 2019–20 season for Heart of Midlothian
(Hearts) proved to be a challenging and unprecedented chapter in the club's
123-year history. Participating in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts aimed to
build on their previous campaigns, but the season took unexpected turns, marked
by both highs and lows.
Hearts entered the season playing their fifth
consecutive stint in the top tier of Scottish football, a testament to their
consistent performance since being promoted from the Scottish Championship in
2014–15. The team had aspirations for success, reaching the Semi-final of the
Scottish League Cup and advancing to the Final of the Scottish Cup.
However, the unforeseen disruption on March 13, 2020, brought about a suspension of all SPFL
leagues, including the Scottish Premiership. This suspension initially led to
the postponement of league games until at least April 30. Ultimately, the
season was cut short, resulting in Hearts finishing 12th and being relegated to
the Scottish Championship, a decision met with disappointment among the club
and its supporters.
The managerial leadership underwent changes
throughout the season. Under the stewardship of Chairman Ann Budge, Craig
Levein served as the manager until October 31, 2019. Subsequently, Austin
MacPhee took charge from October 31 to December 7, 2019, before Daniel Stendel
assumed managerial duties from December 10, 2019, to June 21, 2020.
Tynecastle Park, the iconic stadium that has
been Hearts' home for decades, witnessed both triumphs and setbacks during the
season. The highest home attendance reached 19,313 during a Premiership clash
against Hibernian on December 26, 2019, while the lowest home attendance was
recorded at 7,299 in a League Cup match against Stenhousemuir on July 24, 2019.
The average home league attendance stood at 16,229, reflecting the unwavering
support of the Hearts faithful.
In terms of on-field performance, Steven
Naismith and Sean Clare emerged as the top scorers in the league, each notching
four goals. Craig Halkett led the overall goal-scoring charts with seven goals
across all competitions. Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding
the season, Hearts demonstrated resilience and determination, reaching the
Final of the Scottish Cup and finishing as runners-up, albeit in the midst of
the unique circumstances brought about by the pandemic.
As Hearts bid farewell to the 2019–20 season, the club and its supporters reflect on a period marked by both adversity and moments of pride. The focus now shifts to the future, with Hearts aiming to regroup, rebuild, and reclaim their place in Scottish football, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.