JAMBOS CAN CELEBRATE AT MY TYNECASTLE PARTY

HEARTS players have been told they can party at Tynecastle tonight after all - as long as they bring the Scottish Cup.

Jambos fan Ewen MacLeod didn't give a thought for the Cup Final when he booked the Gorgie Suite at the ground for his 50th birthday bash. Now it promises to be the hottest ticket in town if Hearts see off Gretna today.

Ewen approached the club in November with a view to hiring the club's biggest function suite for a party for up to 250 family and friends.

Their catering organisers, Sodexho Prestige, happily confirmed the May 13 date little knowing it might be needed by the club for cup celebrations.

Hearts players, office staff, the backroom team and partners all partied into the wee small hours in the Gorgie Suite the last time the trophy came to Tynecastle in 1998. This time, they have been forced to seek an alternative venue to let their hair down and SRU bosses have agreed to make Murrayfield available to the club.

Ewen, meanwhile, is preparing for the party of his life - as long as he and his guests can make it back from the game at Hampden in time.

He said: "My wife Sheila and I booked the Gorgie Suite before Christmas and were unaware May 13 was Cup Final day.

"We never twigged there might be a problem until after the quarter-final when it suddenly dawned there could be a clash.

"I half expected a phone call from the club or Sodexho Prestige requesting us to rearrange the date and even contacted Hearts and asked them to let me know if there was going to be a switch.

"Sheila was beginning to panic and, as my friends and family realised the implication of the date, they even contacted me to ask if the party was still going ahead.

"But Hearts and Sodexho Prestige have been first class throughout and haven't even entertained the idea of moving us to another date or venue.

"Now I'm beginning to think I've got a wee bit of a coup with my party at the Gorgie Suite on the same day as the Final.

"I'd also like to tell the Hearts players they're free to drop in and they'll be made most welcome - especially if they arrive with the Scottish Cup.

"There will be no better place to host a party, particularly if we win.

"The biggest problem I'm likely to face is getting back from the game in time for the start!"

Taken from the Daily Record