TYNECASTLE STADIUM looks set to be filled to capacity for tomorrow's visit of Middlesbrough with fans having snapped up the free ticket offer for the friendly.

Almost 18,000 supporters are expected to flood through the gates to see George Burley's first home match in charge of the Jambos.

Chief executive Phil Anderton has been delighted by the fans' response to the plan, although he has warned nobody will be allowed entry into the glamour game without a ticket.

"All the tickets have basically gone which is great," he said. "While it is free entry, fans will not get in without a ticket. It should be a terrific atmosphere for George Burley's first home game since taking over. I'm sure the supporters will give him a warm welcome and it should be a good test for the team as Middlesbrough have a strong, talented squad."

Anderton, meanwhile, was due to sit down with skipper Steven Pressley today to try to thrash out a deal that will keep the Scotland star at the club.

The 31-year-old has been named as a trialist for each of his side's last two matches to allow him to play as he is technically a free agent after failing to agree to certain clauses that are now inserted into all SPL deals.

He had signed a new two-year contract in March which was supposed to kick-in on July 1 but new SPL regulations introduced since then mean that is now void.

Taken from the Scotsman