Cammy Devlin's ever more striking push to help Hearts make Scottish soccer history has continued with the terrier-like Socceroo starring in the victory that pushes them six points clear in their romantic push for the title.
Devlin, who's been at the heart of the Edinburgh side's remarkable push to break the 'Old Firm' duopoly of Celtic and Rangers, was outstanding in midfield again on Saturday as he helped Hearts beat Livingston 1-0 in the Scottish Premiership.
With champions Celtic earlier losing 3-1 at Parkhead to Rangers in the Old Firm derby -- a defeat that prompted furious home fans to launch a mass protest -- it meant Hearts, on 44 points, are now six ahead of both the Glasgow giants, with Celtic second only for having scored more goals than their neighbours.
It again heightened the outlandish prospect that the Tynecastle outfit could become the first team, other than the Old Firm duo, to win the Scottish crown since Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen did so in 1984-85.
Hearts could -- and should -- have won more easily as they dominated the league's bottom side Livingston in the first half but couldn't glean more than the 18th minute goal from Craig Halkett, who steered a fine header home from debutant Jordi Altena's pinpoint cross.
Livingston, winless in 18 league games, improved after the break with their Australian striker Tete Yengi having three decent opportunities saved, but Devlin's buzzsaw energy proved important for the league leaders.
The big drama of the day, though, came at Parkhead where Celtic, who'd gone ahead through Yang Hyun-Jun in the first half, allowed Rangers to storm back with goals from Youssef Chermiti's brace and Mikey Moore.
The home supporters turned hostile, with plenty directing their anger at new manager Wilfried Nancy and the club's board.
Police gathered near the Celtic dugout as chants for the French manager's dismissal resounded around the ground.
Nancy, who replaced interim boss Martin O'Neill last month after Brendan Rodgers quit in October, has managed just two victories in eight games across all competitions and Celtic, who lost the League Cup final to St Mirren, have yet to keep a clean sheet under his stewardship.
"I really believe we can turn things around," Nancy insisted afterwards.
Another Edinburgh-based Socceroo Martin Boyle was unable to play in Hibernian's 3-1 win at Kilmarnock, suffering from a hamstring injury as they consolidated their fifth place in the Premiership.
