Hearts weigh up venues for European ties

HEARTS will ask UEFA for special dispensation to play Champions League ties at Tynecastle next season but have not ruled out the possibility of taking European ties to Murrayfield once more.

The Edinburgh club clinched second place in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague on Wednesday to take their place in the qualifying stages of the Champions League ahead of Rangers.

Last season Hearts used Murrayfield for their UEFA Cup ties but must now decide whether to go back to the 67,500-capacity rugby stadium to try to attract as big a crowd as possible or remain at Tynecastle, one of the most atmospheric grounds in the country.

Campbell Ogilvie, Hearts' general secretary, said: "Tynecastle meets international standards and the club has been in regular contact with UEFA and the Scottish Football Association, although we appreciate we will have to ask for a relaxation of the rules.

"Numerous other clubs have been given this relaxation before, including Arsenal and Liverpool, and we are aware we would have to make a separate decision regarding whether the games would be placed at Tynecastle based on the back-up facilities we have here."

Tynecastle's capacity is just 17,412 and it has been sold out for every home game this season.

Taken from the Scotsman