Hearts get a kick out of Murrayfield

HEARTS BY PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein today gave a resounding "thumbs-up" to the idea of Murrayfield as a new home for the Jambos.

With interest in the controversial Straiton groundshare plan with city rivals Hibs seemingly cooling, Hearts chief executive Chris Robinson has been involved in tentative discussions with the Scottish Rugby Union over the possibility of relocating the club to Murrayfield should the Gorgie outfit be forced to quit Tynecastle.

The club took the opportunity to "road test" the famous stadium in a closed-door game against Dundee yesterday and the experiment was voted a huge success by Levein, who was left suitably impressed by the facilities on offer.

"The place is brilliant. Compared to what we have at Tynecastle, the facilities at Murrayfield are unbelievable," he said.

"The dressing-room area, the physio’s room, the showers, etc, everything is about four or five times the size which we have.

"It’s all so much more spacious than at Tynecastle. And speaking to the players after the game, I think they all enjoyed playing there. The surface was great, although the grass was a bit long. But that’s because Scotland has the Six Nations championship coming up next year.

"If we were to come in here, we would certainly look at bringing the grass down to a level more in keeping with what we’re used to playing on.

"I don’t know what the next step is, you would have to speak to the chief executive about that.

"I just wanted a game here to get a feel for the place and to see if the players like it.

"They gave it the big thumbs-up and from my point of view it was a great exercise.

"I haven’t seen Straiton or know exactly what it’s all about but having seen Murrayfield and the way it makes you feel as if you’re playing in a real top-class stadium, I’m very positive about it.

"What eventually happens, though, is up to others."

One of the main concerns raised by fans when news of the possible move to Murrayfield emerged, was what the atmosphere would be like on match-days in a stadium which can hold 67,500 spectators. But despite Hearts’ attendances last season averaging just over 12,000, Levein does not see that being a huge problem.

He said: "They are talking about blocking off the top tier altogether which would take it down to around 29,000. If advertising was to be put in the four corners it would come down to 22,000 and I think when it comes to the Old Firm games and the derby against Hibs, we could sell that.

"I’m not sure how far along we are with Straiton and wouldn’t like to compare one to the other but having seen Murrayfield yesterday, I must say I like it."

The match, which featured Dundee’s recent signings Fabrizio Ravanelli and Craig Burley, finished goalless.

Hearts striker Gary Wales continued his comeback from injury with 45 minutes, while Jean-Louis Valois featured for over an hour.

"I thought it was a very worthwhile exercise," said Levein. "It was a decent game played at a good tempo and with Dundee in Europe next week as well, it served a good purpose."


Taken from the Scotsman