DUMB AND DUMBER

After 2025 saw both Old Firm clubs indulge in crazy periods of self-harming, today's first dust-up of the new year will give a clear indication of who will emerge as main threat to history-chasing Jambos

- >>KEITH JACKSON

REMEMBER the good old days when there was a semblance of sanity attached to the unrelenting madness of the Old Firm's rivalry?

Back when the pair would have taken 2025 by the oxters and escorted it directly off the premises. Then they'd have locked it away in a padded cell and kept it there for all time as a permanent reminder of the dangers of taking one mindbender too many.

But that was before they held hands, chomped on a bag of magic mushrooms and jumped together through the looking glass.

And, right now, it's difficult to know if there will be any way back for either of them.

That's great news for Hearts, who have timed their run to perfection, teaming up Tony Bloom's millions and algorithms with Derek McInnes' managerial expertise and manoeuvring themselves into pole position at the New Year.

As the top performers this season they have more than earned the right to have a shot at writing a Leicester City-style footballing fairytale in 2026.