Hearts are on track to win their pitch battle

HEARTS are winning their race against time to have the newly re-turfed Tynecastle pitch ready for the visit of Rangers this weekend.

The Gorgie club decided to rip up the much criticised playing surface after the last home game against Inverness Caley Thistle in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup ten days ago and replace the entire area with new grass.

After consulting manager Craig Levein and his players chief executive Chris Robinson sanctioned the decision to returf the pitch again just two years after a similar move failed to provide the long-term solution the club had hoped for.

The Gorgie pitch has been beset by problems over the past few seasons and only recently Aberdeen skipper Derek Whyte claimed it was "the worst in the Premier League" after seeing the Dons crash to defeat in the Capital last month.

The club wasted little time in trying to resolve the situation, although eyebrows were raised in certain quarters at the wisdom of such drastic action at a critical stage of the season - and at a time of year when the weather can also wreak havoc in this country.

While acknowledging that the torrential rain and gales which swept across the Lothians towards the end of last week had adversely affected the work being carried out at the stadium, the club said they did not anticipate any problems ahead of Saturday’s clash with Alex McLeish’s men, a game being beamed live across the nation by Sky television.

The final rolls of turf were laid yesterday and spokesman Douglas Dalgleish said: "We are almost there. Most of the main work was completed by last night.

"The work was delayed a bit by the terrible weather last week and things fell a wee bit behind schedule, but we don’t foresee any problems ahead of the Rangers game as regards the pitch not being ready in time.

"It is looking fine and the players will notice a huge difference.

"The workers had a good day on Monday with the weather and were able to take advantage of the good conditions yesterday as well, which let them get on with things.

"Things are looking good at the moment and we are confident all will be well for the weekend."

Midfielder Thomas Flogel is set to hand boss Craig Levein a lift ahead of the Gers clash by declaring himself fit for a return to action.

The Austrian was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw with Dunfermline after being laid low by a cold virus but he has shown steady improvement since and returned to light training yesterday.

"It is important he doesn’t wipe himself out," added Levein. "But it looks like he should be okay for the Rangers match."

Defender Kevin McKenna did some gym work yesterday on his return from international duty and will rejoin the rest of his team-mates at training tomorrow. Providing he has suffered no reaction to the long flight back from California where Canada secured third place in the Gold Cup, the centre-half should play on Saturday.

Levein jetted out of Edinburgh this morning as he stepped up his player hunt on the Continent.

As revealed in the Evening News on Saturday, the Jambos chief has short-listed six potential signing targets as he looks ahead already to the new season.

He was remaining tight-lipped on his destination and individuals concerned, saying only: "It is a good chance to have a look at one or two guys."

Taken from the Scotsman