Hearts bid to rescue pitch

HEARTS are to re-turf the troublesome Tynecastle pitch after a dramatic U-turn by the board of directors, the Evening News can exclusively reveal.

Following discussions with boss Craig Levein and his players and stung by recent criticism of the playing surface, the club has decided to take immediate action with work beginning after Saturday’s visit of Inverness Caley Thistle in the fourth round of the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.

The surprise move represents a drastic change of mind by chief executive Chris Robinson.

Just ten days ago he insisted there was no need to look at such measures, despite Aberdeen captain Derek Whyte blasting the pitch as "the worst in the Premier League" following the Dons’ 3-1 defeat.

However, following consultation with his management team Robinson called in a group of experts and it was agreed that it is in everybody’s best interests to see the current pitch replaced as a matter of priority.

The work is scheduled to begin on Sunday and with no game due at Tynecastle for a fortnight, the new surface will be bedded in for the league visit of Rangers on Saturday, February 9, a match which is being screened live by Sky Television (kick-off 5.35pm).

Problems with the pitch have been a recurring theme in recent seasons at Tynecastle.

Around two-thirds of the park were replaced two years ago and reseeded only last summer with little signs of improvement.

The current poor condition is thought to have been made worse by the effect of the undersoil heating and club spokesman Douglas Dalgleish said today: "After the recent spate of matches at Tynecastle, the pitch deteriorated for all to see. The directors spoke to Craig Levein and his players on the matter and it was decided to call in a team of consultants.

"They agreed the best option is to rip it up and put down new turf to give us the kind of surface on which to play quality football. Contrary to what people may say, the chief executive does listen to people and after talking to the players and coaching staff the consultants were called in and this action has been taken based on their report."

Levein is delighted at the news, with even his own players having been critical of what they were being asked to play on.

"It’s great the directors have done something so constructive about the state of the pitch," he said. "Their efforts are appreciated and it’s good news for the players as well as the fans who pay good money to see their team at Tynecastle.

"It has been difficult to play good football in recent matches because of the pitch but hopefully that will soon be a thing of the past."

Taking such action in January may be seen as a risk but the club has been reassured the pitch will be ready for the visit of Rangers next month.

Levein, meanwhile, will give a late fitness test to keeper Antti Niemi ahead of tonight’s league clash with Celtic at Parkhead. The Finn is recovering from a broken finger and will replace Roddy McKenzie in the starting line-up if he comes through okay.

"Roddy has done remarkably well but if Antti is fit then I’ll play him," he said.

Defender Andy Webster is winning his fitness battle after suffering a calf strain against Livingston.

Centre half Kevin McKenna will be absent for a further spell after Canada edged into the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup despite a 2-0 defeat from Ecuador in Miami last night.

Canada, Ecuador and Haiti all finished level on points, with the South Americans the unlucky ones to miss out following a draw to decide who advanced to the last eight of the tournament. Canada face Martinique on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.

Taken from the Scotsman