Describing the events in Glasgow as “deeply disturbing”, the Edinburgh club say: “We will make no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation.

“Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties.

“To our media partners, we apologise, but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.”

Hearts also noted that “nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish”, given the Celtic fans entered the field in the immediate aftermath of the third goal and with time still notionally left to play.

The latest incident comes after fans of both Celtic and Rangers invaded the pitch following the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.

Hearts say they “expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities” to protect “the integrity of our game”.

“This season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland but the world over,” they add.

“We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.”

The SPFL says it will be making no comment on the post-match scenes until it has seen their match delegate’s report.

However, it is believed that the match officials have confirmed that the full-time whistle was blown before the players left the field.

Hearts will set out to emulate the success Bloom has had elsewhere, but will not operate in a vacuum.

Celtic and Rangers continue to have considerable financial advantages over the Tynecastle club, especially if the former can reach the Champions League next year.

The question is whether those two clubs can get their houses in order. Despite winning the title, Celtic’s season was plagued by fan protests.

Once supporters stop celebrating another league crown, they will demand change in the club’s approach to recruitment.

An underwhelming summer window, was followed by an even poorer January one and meant the club returned the lowest tally to win the league since 2017-18.

Celtic have crucial decisions to make about a sporting director, head of recruitment, and manager as well as major surgery to do on their squad.

Rangers, meanwhile, spent nearly £40m under their new ownership to go backwards and finish in third place. You can bet they will invest again, but there are already questions swirling around head coach Danny Rohl.

Given the tumultuous atmosphere at both those clubs, it is not an easy environment to advance quick and easy change.

Hearts and Bloom have a data edge and a 10-year plan, so the pressure on Glasgow’s big two to get it right is significant.

Earlier this campaign at the Dexcom Stadium, a 9,206-strong crowd set a new record for an Ireland women’s home game.

However, with more than 30,000 tickets sold so far for the first standalone women’s rugby match at the Aviva, that record has been well and truly broken.

Bemand said: “Our role is to get a great performance that people want to get on the back of and to produce a great result. We want to get people on their feet. We want to get people shouting and cheering.

“The more we can do that, it’ll bode even better for the future in terms of selling grounds, selling tickets, people buying merchandise, more people playing rugby and to keep growing the wave.

“We’re pretty clear on what our role in this is. We’ll enjoy the occasion, undoubtedly.”

He also acknowledged that inspiring the next generation is one of the side’s main aims.

“Any youngsters, boys or girls, that come and watch the game and get inspired by what we’re doing on the pitch, that’s what we’re trying to do,” added the 47-year-old.

“We do this job because we believe in the power of what rugby can give to people. It’s inclusive. It’s a game for everyone, all shapes and sizes. Everyone’s important and everyone has a role.

“So, if people can see how we light it up on the pitch and inspire people to go and pick up a ball, go down their local club, then that’s going to be brilliant for the Irish rugby community, whether it’s male or female.”