Murrayfield back on Hearts' agenda

HEARTS look set to move to Scottish rugby's national stadium next season if the green light is given to plans to rebuild Tynecastle.

Gordon McKie, the chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union, told The Scotsman that positive talks have been held with Hearts Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov over a shift across the Western Approach Road to Murrayfield if Romanov can go ahead with plans to build a new main stand at Tynecastle.

Hearts first considered playing at Murrayfield in 2003, and despite initial criticism from supporters, and after fears about a permanent move were scotched, there was widespread appreciation of the facilities Murrayfield has to offer when more than 18,000, 27,000 and 26,000 fans watched the team play UEFA Cup fixtures with Sporting Braga, Schalke 04 and Ferencvaros respectively last season.

McKie, a specialist in resurrecting ailing firms, took over at the SRU in August from Phil Anderton, who moved into the Hearts chief executive seat after resigning from the SRU.

Anderton had played a key role in persuading Hearts to first step into Murrayfield and he continued to discuss the concept with McKie until his removal by Romanov, right, two months ago.

McKie admitted: "We are still pursuing ways of reducing the £22-23 million debt we have and one route I believe we have to go down is using the stadium more - flog it in terms of making it work for us and the benefit of Scottish rugby, ultimately, rather than flog it by selling it.

"Hearts are looking to rebuild their stadium and it makes sense for us to come together with mutual benefits. We held exploratory talks with Phil and Mr Romanov, who I found very professional and agreeable, looking at a short-term measure in respect of Hearts requirement were they to proceed with the rebuilding of the Tynecastle stadium.

"Having Hearts here would obviously help them get through such changes without huge disruption to their supporters, who enjoyed their previous visits here, and would help us with some valuable income.

"There seems to be a philosophy that we don't have pop concerts here any more and so the Rolling Stones and Robbie Williams are going to Hampden Park in 2006. We are looking at various other ideas because I don't believe Murrayfield's potential has been fully exploited, in terms of conferences for example, hospitality, relationships with sports supporters. As far as I can see we've only been playing at it."

Hearts fans were upset recently with suggestions that the club might share with traditional city rivals Hibs next season and it may be that a move to Murrayfield would clinch a move for Edinburgh Gunners, who currently play at the national stadium, to Easter Road in a new ground-share deal.

McKie added: "To be blunt, Edinburgh shouldn't be playing at Murrayfield and I don't expect them to still be here next season. They don't attract enough supporters to make it particularly attractive or enjoyable for those who do come, and the players find it a strange atmosphere to perform in. We are still in talks right now about where they will move to, but a ground-share with a more compact football stadium in or around Edinburgh is a real possibility."

Rugby and football would be a more palatable share than the two football clubs, and while Tony Mowbray, the Hibs manager, was uncomfortable with the idea when first mooted last year, it is one understood to be supported by the Hibs board, the City of Edinburgh Council and the SRU.

John Borthwick, secretary of the Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs, said a move by his club to Easter Road would not be supported. "Murrayfield isn't ideal, but it is one of the more preferable options," he said. "There would obviously be a lack of atmosphere, but it would be worth it if it meant us getting a new stand."

Taken from the Scotsman