Hearts, Syme on a collision course

IAN PAUL

9 May 1994

HEARTS may take legal action against former FIFA referee David Syme because of critical references to the Edinburgh club's internationalist defender, Alan McLaren, in extracts from a new book which is being serialised in the Evening Times.

Hearts chairman Wallace Mercer has asked his lawyers to study the extracts which, among other points, said that McLaren was "the most consistently troublesome player" Syme had to deal with.

The Rutherglen referee, who retired two weeks ago, also described his run-ins with the Hearts man as a "blood feud" and in another sentence said; "Unless he sorts himself out, he will always be in trouble."

Mercer said: "I want a full independent, legal inquiry on behalf not only of the player but the club.

Alan is a superb young professional who has developed into a mature individual and is an internationalist playing at the highest level.

"Since he joined us as a

15-year-old I have never had a moment's difficulty."

McLaren also is believed to be having the articles examined closely.

Syme and Hearts had a volatile relationship, highlighted by the locking of the referee's door for 30 minutes after one controversial afternoon at Tynecastle.

Away from the off-field debates, Mercer was delighted that his team managed to secure the victory over Dundee United which lifts them very close to safety in the premier division.

Hearts' 2-0 win gives them the best goal difference of the four teams trying avoid the last relegation spot which will now be decided on the last day of the league season, next Saturday.

They share the 40-point mark with Partick Thistle, one ahead of Kilmarnock, and two in front of St Johnstone who are now favourites for the drop.

If Thistle and Hearts, who meet at Firhill on Saturday, draw, the last place will be decided on the outcome of Kilmarnock's visit to Hibs and St Johnstone's trip to Motherwell.

In that scenario, a Kilmarnock draw would leave Saints needing to beat the Fir Park side by at least three goals to avoid demotion.

But there are many other permutations based on a different result at Firhill where the tension might still not be as ferocious as both sides had feared before the weekend's activities.

Kilmarnock, thanks to a Tom Black goal, overcame a Rangers side missing a number of injured top team men, and may have done enough to save their premier division status.

St Johnstone manager Paul Sturrock, who has been admirably honest in his musings recently, reckoned his team were unlucky to go down to a late Brian Irvine goal at Pittodrie.

"Maybe we will get the breaks next week," said the manager.

The relegation issue is the only premier division matter to be resolved next weekend as Aberdeen's win secured the final UEFA Cup place for next season.

Taken from the Herald