WE'RE IN A NO-WIND SITUATION

Jan 19 2005

Robbo wants ban on gale-force games

By Gary Ralston

HEARTS boss John Robertson fears his Scottish Cup plans could be blown off course by Partick Thistle.

The state-of-the-art training complex at Riccarton yesterday offered the Jambos shelter from the worst excesses of the winter.

But as they prepared for tonight's third round Cup replay against the Jags at Tynecastle, Robertson called on football bosses to pen a draught proposal to combat wind.

Hearts players trained inside in perfect conditions on a full-sized pitch as snow and hail battered down around Heriot-Watt.

But Robertson knows such home comforts are likely to be thinner on the ground as they seek a victory that will set them up for a tie with Kilmarnock in the next round.

Robertson said: 'We'd like perfect conditions and a perfect pitch and hope we can beat Partick Thistle.

'What I don't want is what people might perceive to be a leveller - such as a dodgy pitch, rain or wind.

'This will be a difficult enough game on a perfect night, never mind anything else coming into it.

'In the conditions we have been experiencing recently you understand why people call for a winter shutdown but snow is as likely to fall in this country in early October or April.

'I also understand calls for summer football but I've played in pre-season games in temperatures up to 90 degrees and it's difficult to run.

'It's great for fans to sit back and enjoy the sun but there's no atmosphere - sometimes the only reason we get atmosphere at our games in the winter is because people are trying to keep warm.

'I'd like to see the authorities look into is the wind factor. We've spoken to players, managers and referees and I reckon we've got to find a wind speed that, once reached, allows officials to cancel games.

'Donald Park was at Gretna on Monday and although it was a great spectacle he felt for the players because when they kicked the ball in the air and didn't know where it was coming down.

'We played at Ayr last season with Caley Thistle in conditions Campbell Money reckoned were the worst he had ever seen and the keepers were barely clearing the box with kicks.

'Players can put up with rain but wind's impossible and even if Rangers and Celtic, with lads on thousands of pounds a week, would look horrible performing in those conditions.

'If a keeper can kick the ball only 40 yards and it blows back in his face the game shouldn't go ahead because it becomes farcical.'

There is no smug satisfaction as Robertson reflects on facilities at his club that are the envy of almost every other side in the country.

He said: 'Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown have spoken about facilities in Norway, where there are up to 12 indoor centres.

'It's times like this you hope organisations such as sportscotland and the SFA can get together and introduce more of these centres.

'Outside, it's sub-zero temperatures and blizzard conditions but we have the relative comfort of training indoors and practising in a wind-and cold-free environment.

'It doesn't give us an edge going into this game but helps us continue our preparations.

'Our players are focused and have prepared thoroughly for this tie. Thistle have picked up in the league and will be confident of causing an upset but our lads know what's at stake.'

Scotland defender Andy Webster also knows what Jags' players will be going through because he has also been in the position of Cup underdog - at Arbroath.

He said: 'If you are a footballer you want to test yourself at the highest level, especially if it's SPL opposition and you're lower league.

'The only time you see these players is on telly and a bit of fame comes into it.You want to strive and test yourself against them.

'I did it at Arbroath a couple o seasons ago against Motherwell and we lost 2-0 in a replay at Fir Park after drawing 1-1 at Gayfield.

'Motherwell proved too strong for us but I still know these games are one-offs and anyone can compete. We must show great concentration.'

Webster, 22, has been linked with a move out of Hearts at the end of the season, with several Premiership sides and former boss Craig Levein eyeing the £1.5 million-rated star.

He said: 'It's speculation and there's nota lot I can do about it. I used to get it at Arbroath as well but playing for Hearts is my only concern. I'm happy and signed a contract 18 months ago that still has more than two years to run with the thought I want to be here.

'Hearts have played in Europe and I've broken though with Scotland.'

Hearts new boy Lee Miller is ineligible tonight and although Michael Stewart is back in training it's still too early for him to return.

Aussie Patrick Kisnorbo will have a scan today on his troublesome knee injury.

Robertson is believed to be keen on signing Burton O'Brien and David McNamee from Livingston in a £60,000 double swoop.

But Blackburn are due 60 per cent of any sell-on fee and Richard Gough would be prepared to keep them until the end of the season unless he receives a more substantial bid.

Hearts have taken former PSV Eindhoven striker Edson Silva on trial and out-of-favour winger Robert Sloan has agreed an 18month deal at St Johnstone.

Taken from the Daily Record