Heart of Midlothian have sold 16,000 tickets for the upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers, meaning 5,000 briefs remain available for next weekend's Hampden Park encounter.

Stung by the ticket share for the Viaplay Cup semi-final against the same opposition earlier this season, Hearts fought for an equitable split when the club's representatives met with their Ibrox counterparts and the Scottish FA last month. "An extremely strong case" was made for an initial allocation of 21,000. 

"The club put forward a proposal to secure an equal share of tickets, guaranteeing Hearts supporters the opportunity to purchase seats in Hampden’s North Stand," the club said. "We had to make an extremely strong case for our argument, given the size of our opponents’ fanbase and historic semi-final ticket sales.

"We are, therefore, extremely pleased to confirm that our proposition was accepted, and both Hearts and Rangers will be given an initial 21k allocation of tickets to sell to our respective supporters."

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It came with a clause. A risk. Hearts would have to cover the cost of any unsold tickets. 

"One condition of this agreement is that the club covers the cost of any unsold tickets from our allocation so it is in all of our interests to sell out and give the team the level of backing that Hearts fans are famous for," the statement added.

As things stand there is plenty to do to ensure that doesn't happen and with just 10 days until the game, it is difficult to see the 21,000 mark being reached. Between April 2 and now, roughly 1,000 have been sold. It could mean large swathes of empty seats, especially in the East Stand behind the goals, for what is a massive game in the calendar. 

Firstly, it does point to an issue with Hampden Park and segregation. When it comes to a fixture such as this at a neutral venue, it is only fair that there is a split of the allocation. Ideally, it should be worked in a way that if for whatever reason a club cannot sell out then unsold blocks are handed across to the opposing team to sell, in this instance Rangers. Rather than empty seats behind the goals. 

But that is not the case with the national stadium and perhaps something that could be worked on ahead of the ground hosting games for Euro 2028.

While there was a view held by some among the Herts support that an allocation of 21,000 for a semi-final was ambitious, there can be little doubt that to have around 5,000 still unsold with the game around the corner is disappointing considering the position the team are in. Steven Naismith's men have lost just two of their last 19 and the recent win over St Mirren means it is a case of when rather than if they secure third spot.

The team would certainly be buoyed by the sight of Hearts fans matching the Rangers support. Naismith spoke of the perception, the noise levels and the visuals it brings.

There is a very valid reason for not attending. The price. Seats in the North and South Stand are £40 for adults and £20 for concessions which are classed as over-65 and under-16. It is £30 and £15 in the East Stand. It isn't cheap at a time when fans will be looking to renew season tickets, and it can certainly be argued no Scottish football game should cost as much as £40, especially if you are in your late teens or early 20s.

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Some fans may well point to the game being on a Sunday. It is not as attractive as making a big day of it on the Saturday. Others may look toward the club's record against Rangers at Hampden Park. Spoiler: It isn't good.

Everyone will have their reason for going or not. But if you are a fan who is swithering, there surely is only one answer: Just go. What's the worst that could happen?

You are a Hearts fan. Depending on age, you've seen the team lose to Rangers at Hampden Park plenty of times before. You've endured and suffered an abundance of disappointments. Whether it be at the national stadium or not. Who can forget losing to the nine men of Inverness CT on penalties or in extra-time against Motherwell, both at Easter Road of all places? Who can forget St Mirren? Who can forget the hope provided by Ryan Edwards' strike against Celtic only to be hit with a sucker punch?

Those moments are given reason, are made worthwhile by those occasions where the team do produce. It is something the club have been trying to emphasise in their promotion of the game and tickets.

Celtic at Hampden Park on a Sunday afternoon in April 2012. Anyone among the pretty small Hearts crowd that day will remember the wild celebrations that greeted Craig Beattie's winner. What if next Sunday is similar? After all, by the law of averages, Hearts will beat Rangers at Hampden Park sooner rather than later. Why not the next time? After all, this team has ended a long winless run at Celtic Park and a 32-year wait for 10 league away wins in the top flight.

This is where the guilt comes in. As a fan, one of the first thoughts is, 'What if I miss something special?' Can you imagine not being there if it did happen? There will be people who didn't go to that semi-final against Celtic because they were not expecting the team to do much. I also know for a fact there are those still kicking themselves for missing Craig Levein's Hearts team ending Celtic's 69-game unbeaten record.

Stripping it back, a week on Sunday are the games that you should live for as a fan. There is a chance to have a day out with friends or family to Hampden Park. And a chance to give one of the Old Firm a bloody nose and cause an upset. A chance to make history.

You go all year round, Livingston, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, whoever, wherever, whenever. It leads to these big matches. The type of fixture that, if all goes well, will be remembered for years to come.

The type of fixture, if Hearts win, that reminds you why you put yourself through it, year after year after year.