Golf lesson for Jambos

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS stars Graham Weir and Neil Janczyk were dropped for the Bank of Scotland Festival Cup victory over Hibs after breaking the club’s strict code of conduct the day before the Tynecastle showdown.

The pair were due to start against the Hibees on Saturday but were dumped from the team after boss Craig Levein learned they had been playing golf just 24 hours before the cup clash, in flagrant breach of the Jambos’ rules governing players’ preparation for matches.

It is not the first time the pair have incurred the wrath of boss Craig Levein having transgressed in a similar manner last season.

Levein blasted the youngsters’ latest indiscretion as "stupid" and has hit them both with a fine.

They were also spotted hauling their golf bags up and down the entire length of the Gorgie Stand for a considerable length of time after the hosts’ 3-1 victory had seen the Festival Cup remain in Gorgie, fitness coach Tom Ritchie on hand to ensure they carried out their "punishment" to the letter.

"They were very stupid," said Levein. "They both were warned at the end of last season and stupidly they decided they could get away with it.

"They have been fined for breaking the club’s code of conduct. They are young boys but they should be more aware of what being a professional athlete entails."

He added: "I was extremely disappointed in both of them that they would do such a thing the day before what was, for them, an important match.

"It was stupid of them and hopefully they will learn their lesson - it would be very, very stupid to do it again."

Michael Stewart, meanwhile, will not be risked in tonight’s reserve match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. The midfielder limped out of the second half of the Hibs game after twisting his ankle but should be fit for inclusion in the squad for Sunday’s visit of Rangers, which the SFA have announced will be refereed by Dougie McDonald.

Steven Pressley, meanwhile, appears to be losing his race to make Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden Park tomorrow. The Tynecastle star had scans on his injured back yesterday and has returned to the squad hotel for further treatment from the Scots’ medical team.

The 30-year-old has already stated he is prepared to play through the pain barrier but with boss Berti Vogts’ unwilling to risk anyone who’s not 100 per cent fit, team-mate Andy Webster and Norwich’s Malky Mackay are set to continue their partnership after a solid display in the friendly against Spain in Valencia on Friday night.

Taken from the Scotsman