Hearts legends are honoured with place in Hall of Fame

HEARTS last night inducted eight club luminaries into their official Hall of Fame and awarded a commemorative place to their late former chairman Wallace Mercer.

At a glamorous dinner held at Edinburgh's Prestonfield House, the club announced the first eight inductees as voted for by supporters from their nominated list of 14. Mercer's award was acceped by his wife, Anne. The other honoured inductees were Dave Mackay, John Cumming, Willie Bauld, Gary Mackay, John Robertson, Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley.

"My whole family were Hearts-orientated and I just can't believe this," said a tearful Dave Mackay, who earned a reputation for a no-nonsense approach to football and was a central character in the Tynecastle side of the 1950s along with Bauld and Cumming.

"It feels absolutely brilliant. I'm such a hard man it's made me cry."

Hartley was the first player from the current squad to be voted in and was followed later in the evening by captain Pressley. Hartley said: "It's a fantastic feeling to get this award. I'm in the company of some truly great players."

Gary Mackay, Hearts' record appearance holder added: "This club will always remain special in my heart."

Taken from the Scotsman