It looked like, for 40-plus minutes at least, Lawrence Shankland had scored the goal that would see Heart of Midlothian become Scottish champions for the first time in 66 years.
It would have been fitting, considering that for the past four seasons it was so often him. Eighty-eight times, in fact. In derbies, in Europe, in the biggest games, it was Shankland who managers, team-mates and fans turned to. He was who they relied on.
That goal, however, proved to be nothing more than a moment in time. A moment when fans celebrated wildly, bringing that title dream closer to becoming a reality. Hearts lost the title decider and are now about to lose their talisman.
On the back of what has been a trying couple of weeks for the Hearts support, they will no longer be able to turn to him. To rely on him. His four-year stint in Gorgie is all but over.
The man who has so often been the difference is set to join Rangers with a medical due to take place on Tuesday.
It is a difficult scenario for fans to stomach. Not only the timing, not only the destination but the fact that he has been able to leave for free.
Fans have every right to feel frustrated and angry. It is far from an ideal situation. But it is important to rewind 12 months.
Last summer, following the expiry of his contract after a trying season, he was able to consider his options, as was his right. While he did that, Derek McInnes, who had just been appointed, made no secret of his desire for the club to retain the striker.
McInnes knew how vital keeping Shankland was for this season. He was confident that he would be able to help him rediscover his goal-scoring form after he dropped to nine goals. He would play him higher up the pitch and provide him with the service he lacked the previous season, while ensuring the team was not reliant on his goals.
The Hearts head coach remained in regular contact with Shankland, emphasising the positives of re-signing at Tynecastle Park.
"He's a player that's worth waiting for," McInnes said before heading out to Spain for the team's pre-season training camp.
A couple of days in and the deal looked unlikely.
"The fact that he isn't here would suggest that it's becoming a bit more difficult to make that happen," McInnes said. The disappointment was evident when speaking to him in Spain.
It was a complete contrast to the Hearts boss's emotions 24 hours later when Shankland was heading to Spain after transfer talks developed quickly. McInnes was understandably delighted.
He was arguably the most important piece of the puzzle. He would score goals, act as a focal point and lead the dressing room. It is an aspect of his value that goes under the radar; he is hugely influential among the squad.
But to bring him back, a break clause was a concession the club was required to make, Hearts Standard understands.
There would have been a strong number of fans happy to see the club do whatever it took to get Shankland to re-sign.
Last summer, if told that Shankland would re-sign, score 20 goals, be the team's most important player, lead a title charge and help the team qualify for the Champions League, but would walk away for free in the summer, albeit to a league rival, most would have accepted the offer.
The difficulty lies in the timing of this news. It feels like a pile-on after the last two weeks, during which supporters have been put through the emotional wringer, in a concoction of anger, disappointment and frustration.
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In addition, the announcement last year that Shankland had signed a three-year deal is something fans have voiced displeasure about. It's not a good situation when fans feel duped.
However, the structure of the contract was a three-year deal, which included a break clause. It may sound like semantics, but it wasn't one year with an option for two more. If it hadn't been triggered, the three-year deal would have continued as normal.
The timing and manner of the exit will likely ensure a less-than-pleasant reception when he returns to Tynecastle Park, even after his contribution over the past four years. It's a given that when a player leaves Hearts for one of the Old Firm, they get the pantomime treatment. Only, it will likely be more intense than that.
His standing at the club can and likely will be debated. But if Hearts had got over the line in the title decider, he would have written his name in the pantheon of legendary Hearts figures. Whatever happened next would probably have been met with a shrug of the shoulders.
In this writer's eyes, Shankland should be viewed very highly. He was the striker the club had needed for decades, since John Robertson. He provided the club with so many big moments, so many big goals, vital to three top-four finishes.
It is a surprise that the club has managed to have him for four seasons, considering both his output and his attacking qualities. Teams should have been knocking Hearts' door down following his 31-goal campaign. And even off the back of the poor season, clubs should have been queuing to get him on a free.
But it is only natural for supporters to feel slighted when a player moves on, and to a rival. That's the emotional and tribal element of being a football fan.
What comes next is replacing the most important player in the squad. It is the biggest test of Jamestown Analytics so far.
In the last 60 years, only Robertson, Willie Gibson and Donald Ford have scored more goals. Shankland is well out in front when it comes to goals per game. Robertson is the only player other than Shankland in the last 60 years to hit the 20-goal mark in three or more seasons.
It's not just his goals, but his ability to lead the line, link play, his vision and intelligence and his leadership qualities, on and off the field.
The good news for Hearts fans is that within the club, there is understood to be a real confidence that Shankland will not only be replaced but be replaced effectively with players who will excite fans.
With JTA, there is a belief and a comfort that when any player moves on, there are other options ready to be recruited and to step in.
That will become clear in the coming weeks, with the club set for a busy summer of ins and outs, including the departure of a number of players who have been key performers in recent seasons.
None, however, will be as big a miss as Shankland.
After four years, from the first 20-goal and then 30-goal seasons since John Robertson to that awful night in Bruges and a title challenge, Hearts are preparing for life without their talisman.
