Hearts step up security

PAUL KIDDIE

UNPRECEDENTED security measures will be in place for Sunday’s derby at Tynecastle in a bid to prevent a repeat of the crowd trouble which marred the first Capital showdown of the season at Easter Road, the Evening News can reveal.

Ten-man Hibs defeated Hearts 1-0 in August courtesy of Garry O’Connor’s dramatic late strike to secure Bobby Williamson his first win in the fixture since taking over from Franck Sauzee 18 months earlier.

But all the talk after the game surrounded the Hibs supporter who ran on to the pitch at half-time in the direction of referee Stuart Dougal, with Hearts keeper Tepi Moilanen later being hailed a hero for helping apprehend the individual.

There was also a pitch invasion by the home fans as they celebrated at the final whistle, while there were ugly scenes as rival supporters clashed outside the West Stand minutes after the end of the game.

Sunday’s match is expected to be a sell-out and is being screened live by BBC Scotland, and Hearts have taken extra measures to try and ensure the showpiece goes ahead trouble-free.

Tynecastle security chief Tom Purdie has been in discussion with Lothian and Borders Police as well as Easter Road officials in the build-up to the clash and there will be a ring of steel around the Gorgie ground by the time Hugh Dallas gets the action underway at 3pm.

Extra stewards and police have been drafted in for the big day and Purdie hopes they will have the desired effect.

"We will have extra security in place for Sunday’s match as we don’t want a repeat of the scenes outside Easter Road after the last derby," he said.

"It will be the most stringent security we have had in place for a derby as the supporters’ safety is uppermost in our minds.

"Any troublemakers will be dealt with severely and we don’t want anyone blackening the good name of Hearts."

The last derby at Tynecastle was the epic 4-4 draw at New Year last season, super-sub Graham Weir smashing two goals in injury time to snatch an incredible draw.

That fixture passed without incident, according to Purdie, who is hoping for a similar scenario this time round.

"The weather was appalling at the end of that game and the way the match unfolded obviously had a bearing on the moods of the respective supporters.," he said. "We are taking all possible precautions for Sunday as we want the game to be remembered for all the right reasons."

Boss Craig Levein, meanwhile, looks set to have skipper Steven Pressley available for Sunday’s clash with Hibs.

The defender lost two teeth after an accidental clash with Dutch star Patrick Kluivert towards the end of Scotland’s 6-0 hammering from Holland in Amsterdam on Wednesday night.

He was in agony after the game and visited his dentist yesterday to have the damage properly assessed.

And the Jambos skipper declared himself fit for action following the emergency work on his teeth last night. Pressley said: "I’m going to be fine to play in the derby on Sunday and then against Bordeaux in the UEFA Cup next week.

"There was concern for me after the match that it might not happen. But I’m going to be fine and I’ll play in both games.

"I’m still in a bit of pain just now but that will subside and I should be OK in a couple of days.

"I didn’t require surgery which was a relief really. I went to the dentist and had two temporary crowns put in.

"That should get me through Sunday and Thursday and after that we can see about getting some permanent work done."

Taken from the Scotsman