HEARTS CAN SELL OUT MURRAYFIELD - GORDON

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes the Edinburgh side will sell out Murrayfield next season if they play their Champions League ties at the home of Scottish rugby.

The Jambos were forced to stage their home UEFA Cup games in late 2004 at the 67,500-seater rugby stadium after Tynecastle failed to meet UEFA regulations.

Hearts defeated Sporting Braga to qualify for the group stages where they suffered defeats by Schalke and Ferencvaros at Murrayfield.

But an average gate of just over 23,000 for the three matches meant the stadium appeared empty for the ties.

The Jambos' second-place finish in the Bank of Scotland Premier League has ensured a place in the Champions League qualifiers for the first time next season.

Hearts are expected to seek special dispensation from UEFA to play their qualifying matches at their own ground which can hold around 18,000 people when full.

But Gordon said: "It would be nice to play our European games at Tynecastle - it's a great stadium - the fans love it and the players like playing there.

"A full house at Tynecastle is very special. You can see the effect it has had - we've had a great record at home this season.

"But, if we were paired against some of the big teams, who is to say we couldn't fill Murrayfield, which could be an even greater atmosphere again.

"I thought it was OK the last time we played there. The atmosphere was a lot better than people made it out to be.

"Obviously, our record wasn't tremendous, we had a good win against Braga, but we probably could have done better in the group stages.

"But it wasn't a bad pitch, it played fairly well and I don't think it had anything to do with the fact we were beaten on a couple of occasions."

However, the Gorgie club are gearing up for the Tennent's Scottish Cup final against Gretna at Hampden Park on Saturday.

The Jambos are strong favourites to win the showpiece occasion but Gordon insists the Edinburgh players will give the Bell's Second Division champions the respect they deserve.

He said: "There is no chance of the Hearts players thinking the game is already won.

"Gretna have plenty of players with SPL experience and have been scoring a lot of goals.

"There's no way we will be under-estimating them because we know they will be very difficult to beat.

"We have to concentrate on getting our own game right, but, if we can play the way we can, then we can win it."

The Scotland keeper dropped out of Walter Smith's squad to play in the Kirin Cup against Japan and Bulgaria this week.

However, the 23-year-old is confident he will retain his place when the Euro 2008 qualifiers begin in September.

Gordon added: "I would have liked to have got another cap or two, it would have been a good trip but the cup final takes over.

"Hopefully, I can get a winner's medal instead a few caps.

"Neil Alexander, Iain Turner and Graeme Smith are away and whoever plays in goal, I hope they do well and give Walter Smith a problem.

"But I think I played well enough in the qualifying games to, at least, get first chance in the next qualifying campaign."

Meanwhile, in a prospectus which aims to encourage an increase in season ticket sales at Tynecastle for next season, Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov took another swipe at the Edinburgh club's detractors.

Addressing the fans he said: "I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for all the support that you have given the team over the last season.

"Despite all the organised baiting by the enemies of the club you did not lose faith in me or my revolution.

"That provides the inspiration for new victories next season."

Taken from sportinglife.com