Keatings tips Queens to add another twist to the drama

WITH hair and a celebratory T-shirt soaked by what looked like a magnum-worth of champagne, James Keatings fitted the expected image of a delighted title winner.

The Hearts striker and hi s colleagues revelled in finally getting their hands on the Championship trophy. And rightly so.

Their late comeback from two down against Rangers underlined the relentless spirit that drove Robbie Neilson’s team to a final 21-point winning margin. In truth, they have been in a league of their own.

Holidays now await, while the three clubs who finished below them prepare f or the pressure- l aden overtime of the play- offs. That is a demanding experience Keatings knows intimately.

Last season, he was part of the Hamilton squad which emerged victorious after beating Hibernian in an epic two-legged final.

While that was a triumph against the odds, there will be expectation on the shoulders of the sides from Easter Road and Ibrox this time around.

Keatings, though, has a sneaking suspicion that their less-fancied rivals might just come through to pinch the top-flight prize.

‘I’ve had a weird feeling all along about Queen of the South,’ he said. ‘I think they’re a good side and they’ve proved that against Rangers and Hibs this season. I’m sure they can cause an upset.

‘I was there in the play- offs last season. Towards the end of the regular season you get tired, but you have to carry on.

‘People start picking up injuries and it starts dragging out. This year we did it in style, winning by quite a few points, so the play- offs didn’t really feature for us.

‘But I know how those going into it will be feeling. They’ll be tired, and mentally tired, and it will be tough. Really tough.

‘It’s hard at the end of the season when you’re l ooking forward to getting your rest and you’ve got another run of games. It’s not easy as they are all high-pressure games. You’re fighting for something.

‘The Championship club will see the last game as their cup final. But the team from the Premiership, they’re fighting for their lives and it’s horrible if you lose it.

‘The key to getting through the play- offs is your togetherness and team spirit. You need a good dressing r oom with everyone pushing each other on. You want competition on the training field and everyone fighting for it.’

Competition has not been in short supply at Tynecastle. Keatings scored a hat-trick away to Raith Rovers back in August — and has contributed 11 goals overall — but many of his appearances have been from the bench.

Neilson wants the 23-year- old to stay as a squad member for next season, but Hearts are thought to be willing to let him move on should he feel he needs more regular football.

‘I’ve still got a year left on my deal,’ said Keatings. ‘That’s two years in a row I’ve been promoted i n two different ways. Both were amazing but this one was better because I got my hands on a medal, which is what every player wants. This is the first in my career and it’s amazing for me.

‘The manager has said I’m still wanted here. Every player wants to play. I’m the same and I’ve spoken to the manager about it. I want to play week in, week out.

‘New faces will come in but I’m not scared of that. I need to think of myself. I’ve loved my time at this club and the fans have been amazing. I can’t thank them enough. Now we j ust have to wait to see what happens.’

Keatings replaced Sam Nicholson for the final 13 minutes on Saturday to make a contribution to their season-closing revival.

Rangers l ooked destined for a morale- raising success through first-half goals from Darren McGregor and Kenny Miller, but Hearts simply refused to let their party afternoon be pooped.

Genero Zeefuik saw to that. The substitute’s terrific 82nd-minute header was the cue for an all- out assault that saw him force home an equaliser in the final moments of normal time. Cue maroon jubilation.

‘The equaliser sums up our season,’ insisted Keatings. ‘At 2-0 down, I was sitting on the bench and had a weird feeling that we weren’t going to get beat.

‘I thought there would be another twist and Genero came up with the goods with two great finishes.’