Motherwell braced for tough trip to Tynecastle

Published on Sunday 21 October 2012 00:49

Motherwell defender Simon Ramsden does not expect Hearts’ financial issues to have an impact on their game when the two clubs face each other at Tynecastle today in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Jambos boss John McGlynn and six of Hearts’ highest earners did not receive their salaries on schedule on Tuesday as the Edinburgh club failed to pay their entire squad on time for a second successive month.

September’s breach triggered a transfer embargo under new Scottish Premier League regulations, with wages also delayed on four occasions last season.

Ramsden was sympathetic towards the plight of the players but backed them to put their worries to one side for 90 minutes at Tynecastle when the Steelmen come calling.

He said: “Once that whistle goes, it’s all forgotten about.

“Those issues might affect them during the week, when training finishes.

“But, once the game comes around, I don’t think they will be thinking about that for one second.

“Fortunately, I’ve never experienced anything like that in my career, although I know a few lads who have and it’s not a nice time when you have families and mortgages to pay.”

Ramsden is expecting a difficult challenge in the capital today and says the Motherwell players are just desperate for a return to action.

Their match against Dundee United before the international break was postponed due to a power failure in the Motherwell area, meaning they have been idle longer than most.

He said: “Hearts have got a good squad and we’ve watched DVDs of their games this season.

“We know it’s going to be a very tough test but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

“We haven’t had a game for a few weeks now so the lads are itching to get going again.”

Meanwhile, Ramsden says that he can understand why boss Stuart McCall has been touted as an outside bet to land the Scotland job, should Craig Levein be sacked, but he believes his manager is happy to remain at Fir Park.

He said: “It doesn’t surprise me that he has been talked of in that way – I couldn’t speak more highly of him to be honest.

“One of the main factors in me coming to Motherwell was to link up with him again.

“I’m sure, if you ask the manager, he’s just concentrating on ourselves at the moment.”

Taken from the Scotsman