How Hearts fans can prove SPFL wrong - Naismith's 50/50 view

"Season ticket holders, FoH pledgers, Gorgie Ultras, Junior Jambos, PHM and PHW…we need you there at Hampden," the club said in a website post notifying the details of ticket sales for the League Cup semi-final.

In just under four weeks' time Steven Naismith's men will take on Rangers at the national stadium for a place in the Viaplay Cup final. While it will be 11 v 11 on the pitch there won't be the same numerical balance in the stands. Hearts fans will be outnumbered. Something which was decided before sales commence from 9am on Wednesday morning.

Hearts were given an initial allocation of 18,000. With another 2,000 available should the 18,000 be snapped up. To say the club were miffed at not being handed a 50/50 split, is an understatement. A feeling shared by supporters and Naismith.

"I just find it hard that it wouldn't be your starting point," he said. "I think clubs grow, clubs get more backing, clubs get engaged with their fanbase to increase it. Hearts have been a club that have shown that. We could easily cover 50/50 in a big semi-final game like that. It is disappointing but we accept it and we'll deal with it."

READ MORE: What next for Foundation of Hearts: Pledge target, change, fan opinion

The SPFL's stance is two-fold as explained by a Hearts statement.

"The club would like to assure fans that we requested and pushed for an even 50-50 split of tickets, but due to previous sales history and the inability to segregate Hampden’s North Stand into subsections, this request was denied," it read. "Naturally, we are very disappointed at this outcome but we are confident that Hearts supporters will take up our full allocation and turn Hampden into a sea of maroon."

The league body based the allocation on the last time Hearts were in the League Cup semi-final in November 2019. Situations change and as Naismith pointed out backing can grow. In 2019, the team went into the match with Rangers at Hampden Park 11th in the Premiership. The team had won just one of their first 11 league matches. The most recent fixture, a 1-0 loss to St Johnstone cost Craig Levein his job.

Yes, the season so far has not been an overly positive one. But in relation to four years ago the club are much better placed. In turn there is greater demand for tickets, home and away. 

The second issue regards segregation. Hearts Standard understands the north stand - the one opposite the tunnel - is not as easy to segregate as the south stand. If the north stand is not segregated down the middle it moves to the corner where the north becomes the east, between sections D and F.

Now, you can understand the SPFL's stance. The organisation could no doubt point to a variety of semi-finals where a club have struggled to sell their entire allocation. However, it should be an unwritten rule - similar to the cringeworthy Celtic and Rangers 'ends' - that every final and semi-final at Hampden Park begins with a 50-50 split unless specified by a club that they don't require 22,000-23,000 tickets. In reality, a 50-50 split would only be possible by a handful of clubs. In a country where two clubs have so much power, sway and dominance, it's the least that can be done. 

If that means a logistical headache around segregation if tickets are handed back then so be it. The national stadium should provide maximum flexibility.

READ MORE: Eduard Malofeev: The story of the infamous interim Hearts spell

But now it is left to Hearts and their supporters to prove a point to the SPFL. To, as the club noted, paint Hampden maroon. 

"Despite our best efforts there is no 50-50 ticket split for this match," a post on the official website said. "It was intimated to us that historical ticket sales for our semi-finals was a major factor in this decision. It could well play a part in future showpiece games. This is why it is essential for everyone connected with Hearts, in the here and now and for subsequent big occasions, that Hampden becomes a sea of maroon."

It is not controversial to suggest Hearts fans don't have much respect for the country's governing bodies. And it wouldn't be a surprise if those 20,000 briefs are taken up out of spite. However, the key point is that it shouldn't be left to spite. Hearts are a massive club and should be selling out half of Hampden Park for every semi-final and final. Especially when up against either of the Old Firm. It's in those matches where they need as much backing as possible.

After all, the club have never defeated Rangers at Hampden Park. Never has there been a better time to do so than next month, leaving more than half of the national stadium miserable.