Wouter Vrancken in an interview with Martin O'Neill and Derek McInnes right inset

Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and Rangers manager Derek McInnesImago, Hearts TV

Celtic and Rangers fans react to Hearts' Champions League humiliation

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at Reach PLC and PA Media; University of Central Lancashire graduate. FOCUS Fan-engagement content and match analysis across the Premier League and Championship. THE INSIGHT Oliver utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified reporting and fan-first content. He provides the human stories behind the results to ensure fans get the full picture as it happens.

Published on:

22 Jul 2026, 10:00 am

Celtic and Rangers supporters have flocked to social media to laugh at Hearts after their dismal return to the Champions League against Sturm Graz.

Hearts had some less than ideal preparation for their first return to Champions League qualifying since the 2006-07 season.

They entered at the second qualifying round after missing out on the Premiership title on the final day of the last campaign.

Several key players have left since that clash against Celtic, while Derek McInnes is now in charge of rivals Rangers.

New boss Wouter Vrancken has overseen a busy window so far, but they struggled in his first competitive game in charge with a 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz on Tuesday night.

They are now facing a huge challenge to make the next round and then the UCL league stage, with their Premiership rivals revelling in their downfall online.

Old Firm supporters mock Hearts after Champions League qualifying failure

Graz finished second in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and were able to blow Hearts away in a few short second half minutes.

Jon Stankovic gave the hosts the lead in the fourth minute, before Jeyland Mitchell, Luca Weinhandl and Jurgen Heil each scored after the break but before the hour mark.

Hearts will host the Austrian side in the second leg on Tuesday, 28 July, but effectively already have one foot in the Europa League third qualifying round.

Many Celtic and Rangers supporters joined forces to ridicule the Jambos after their defeat, with a fan of the former saying: "Back to mid-table mediocrity you go."

Gonna struggle to stay in top six this season 🤣 😂🤣 😂
— Paddy_122 (@Bob_G76) July 21, 2026

“HEAAAAAAAAARTS, HEARTS ARE FALLING APART AGAIN” pic.twitter.com/cvbIvUl17Z
— sevco sam🇬🇧 (@55am_1872) July 21, 2026

While a Rangers fan said: "Just wait till (Lawrence) Shankland and (Cammy) Devlin are back from injury."

Tony Bloom laptop injured lads?
— CHAMPIONS AGAIN OLE OLE 🏆 C.S.C (@Noname202520202) July 21, 2026

Should have started Devlin and Shankland
— 1690 (@1690_Batlord) July 21, 2026

And another Hoops fan wrote: "Perfect example of a club who got ideas above their station."

Signing national league players & thinking Jamestown was pulling miracles is backfiring at rapid speed
— CJ 🍀 (@celtic_jaime) July 21, 2026

Must have a been an injury in there somewhere
— Brandon (@__BM88_) July 21, 2026

Sources: Rangers set sights on signing another Hearts star

Rangers planning another Hearts raid after Shankland, Devlin and McInnes

Hearts fans will undoubtedly feel apprehensive about the new season starting, with so many unknowns after such a tough window so far.

They will remain trusting of Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics after such a strong 2025-26 campaign, but are set to face more strife before the transfer market closes.

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Rangers are keen on signing Claudio Braga as McInnes looks to reunite with another of his former stars.

Braga bagged 17 goals in 44 appearances for the Jambos last season after joining from Norwegian side Aalesund.

Heart of Midlothian Football Club