Ross County v Hearts postponed

Last Updated: December 29 2012, 17:39 GMT

Hearts manager John McGlynn hit out at a lack of communication over the problem with Ross County's pitch after their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash was postponed about 50 minutes before kick-off.

Referee Iain Brines made the decision following a second inspection after heavy rain showers made part of the playing surface in front of the Global Energy Stadium main stand unplayable, although most of the park was fine.

County have offered to pay for Hearts fans to travel to the rearranged game, with William Hill Scottish Cup Saturdays on February 2 and March 6 being mooted as potential dates, but McGlynn felt for the estimated 800 visiting supporters who were well on their way to Dingwall when news broke.

McGlynn said: "We had no indication whatsoever that the game was in any difficulty. Our kit man left the hotel this morning at the back of 10. Nobody said to him there was a problem.

"There was people working on the pitch, who were doing their best to get the match playable. He phoned me at the back of 12 to tell me Ross County were looking for a pitch inspection.

"My problem is with the pitch inspection, it should have been done earlier. They gave us no indication there was a problem whatsoever until the back of 12."

McGlynn said the match officials arrived at the ground at around 1.20pm and after a quick inspection, Brines was willing to give it more time.

McGlynn added: "He felt the area front of the main stand was the only problem area on the pitch. At two o'clock he said the ball wasn't bouncing in that area and due to that and the weather forecast, which was for more rain, he had to postpone the game.

"The main issue for me is the non-notification of the severity of the problem here.

"I'm disappointed for everyone who has travelled here today. The majority came up today at great expense, but some would probably have come up last night.

"We stayed overnight in a hotel to prepare properly for the game - it's a great disappointment."

County chairman Roy MacGregor made the offer to pay for Hearts fans to travel again and stressed that safety was paramount in making the decision.

MacGregor said: "We had a real downpour this morning between 10 and 12.30 and you could see by the deliberations the referee took, he wasn't sure if it was playable or not.

"The safety of the players is important, we're all disappointed. The referee was in a position if he put the game on and a player was badly hurt he would have had some difficulty.

"In the heat of the moment everyone is uptight but maybe tomorrow morning we'll all look back and say if there was a danger to players, probably it was the right decision.

"He has to go on what he sees and feels and he conferred with his other officials and the two mangers before he made his decision."

Taken from sportinglife.com