Levein makes Rangers clash a priority

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein has ditched plans to spy on UEFA Cup opponents NK Zeljeznicar this weekend over fears he could miss his side’s SPL showdown with Rangers.

Levein had hoped to jet out to Sarajevo to see the Bosnian outfit in league action on Saturday before returning to the Capital to take charge of the side for the visit of the champions 24 hours later.

However, following the chaos which hit assistant Peter Houston’s return from the Balkans last weekend - he was forced to find alternative arrangements after Air Bosnia went bust - Levein felt it prudent to review his own travel plans with his return journey scheduled to see him arrive in Edinburgh via Vienna and London.

And he has decided to err on the side of caution and give the trip to Sarajevo a miss, even though it now means he will face Zeljeznicar in the first round, first leg tie next Wednesday at Tynecastle without having seen the team in the flesh himself. He has been forced to rely on feedback from Houston following his own spying mission, as well as a number of video tapes of the Bosnians in action.

"I have decided not to go over to Sarajevo this weekend as I can’t get back to Edinburgh in time for the Rangers match," said Levein.

"All being well, my plane was due to arrive back here at 2.15pm on Sunday so any delays would have seen me not back at Tynecastle until at least half-time. I had to weigh up the options and with the Rangers game imminent that has to be my priority.

"It is important we are totally focused on that match and the fact is I can’t be in two places at the one time."

He added: "At least Peter Houston has seen Zeljeznicar in action, we’re getting Saturday’s game taped and we also have a number of other videos of their matches."

Taken from the Scotsman