Tynecastle stand plans delayed indefinitely

Campbell Ogilvie, the Hearts managing director, yesterday admitted plans for the redevelopment of the main stand at Tynecastle are on hold, sparking further fears of financial problems at the club.

On the day the Edinburgh side announced a three-year kit sponsorship extension with Umbro, thought to be worth around £1m a year, the club made the admission that work on the Gorgie ground had been delayed indefinitely. Fans have questioned whether the project will ever start in the current financial climate, but Ogilvie insists it will - he just does not know when.

Hearts submitted a planning application to Edinburgh City Council just over a year ago for the £51m plan, bankrolled by owner Vladimir Romanov, that will include a new 10,000-seat main stand, a hotel and flats. The club hoped the work, which would increase stadium capacity to 23,000, would already be underway, and the initial target was to have the ground completed by 2010.

However, with Hearts' battling a debt last recorded at around £25m and seeking to reduce massive wage ratio overheads, it is now unclear when the bulldozers will come in. "The stand is in planning at the moment, it's been a long process," said Ogilvie. "Work will not start at the end of the season. We'll still be playing out of Tynecastle next season.

"I can't give an answer on when work will start. It could be a year down the line. I appreciate the fans' frustration, but these things do take time. I'm more concerned about the long-term.

"It has taken longer than was envisaged at the outset. I believe the scheme will go ahead. They are working on funding, that is not being done by us here. I've never assumed it wouldn't go ahead, it's a timing issue."

Hearts have had negative press, from unpaid wages to fears for their overall financial future. The rumour mill has been in full swing on fans' internet messageboards but Ogilvie feels the corner has been turned. Asked if administration is a possibility, he said: "I don't think so, no. I'm not hiding from the fact there has been a lot of comment on that front, but, hopefully, we are working through that. You can't say there will never be any issues in any football club. However, on the unpaid wages front, they were pretty minimal. I would like to think that corner is turned."

Hearts have around 20 players out of contract this summer, including several youth team members, which will ease their wage burden, while they have just banked £2.3m for the sale of Christophe Berra to Wolves.

Ogilvie also refutes talk of a future fire sale, saying: "We are not a selling club as such, but for any club, if an offer comes in it has to be considered. We hear about fire sales, but I don't see that being the case."

On a positive note, Robbie Neilson, the Hearts captain, believes he can lead the club into Europe by securing third spot in the league. Having beaten Aberdeen at the weekend, Neilson now sees no reason why the players cannot continue their good form to dig out their passports for a return to the continent.

"Going by the performance against Aberdeen, we have guys who can step in and drive us forward towards Europe," said Neilson. "I think we have to strength to get there."

Taken from the Herald