RIVAL BOSSES HAVE THEIR SAY
DANIEL STENDEL has pleaded with authorities not to cut the season short due to the coronavirus – and give Hearts 38 games to survive. Government bigwigs met yesterday to discuss contingency plans for sport in the UK and what should be done to slow the spread of the virus which has so far affected more than 100,000 people globally. Italy has been one of the worst affected European nations, with matches such as Juventus’ 2-0 win over Inter Milan on Sunday played behind closed doors. Ending the season early remains a last resort and could see Hearts relegated if they are still bottom if a drastic decision has to be taken. But Stendel believes a way should be found to give the Jambos the full season in order to save themselves. He said: “Even after all that has happened with the coronavirus the league is 38 games. “You can’t say after however many that you just stop. It’s not the rule, the spirit.” Playing out the campaign behind closed doors
BY ROSS PILCHER remains a possibility which would also be less than ideal given how the raucous Tynecastle atmosphere can help Stendel’s side.
Discussions about shutting out fans have begun in Germany but Stendel doesn’t want to see Scotland follow Italy’s lead in that regard.
He said: “That’s the worst case but it’s not my decision. In the end we all love the atmosphere in Tynecastle – and in every stadium.
“This is the reason why we play this game. I hope it will not happen. I concentrate entirely on the football, the work with the team. Other things I can’t influence.
‘Yesterday was the start of talking about that in Germany. I’m similar to Jurgen Klopp, I have no idea! I’m not a virologist. In Germany they’re like, ‘Woah!’ I don’t have enough information.
“I have spoken to Ann Budge but nothing really concrete. I have some information but it is not helpful for my work.”
Assuming nothing major is decided before tomorrow, Hearts face a massive battle away to St Mirren.
Originally scheduled for February 21 the initial clash was rained off by Storm Dennis.
Since then Hearts have dumped Rangers out the Scottish Cup and convincingly beat city rivals Hibs on their own patch before Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Motherwell.
They remain bottom of the table but can overtake the Buddies on goal difference with a victory at the Simple
Digital Arena. It’s a key encounter in the battle for survival but Stendel was keen not to build it up too much with eight games still to play afterwards.
He said: “It’s an important game but I don’t want to have the feeling it is the one and only game that decides it.
“It’s a good chance to bring it all together at the bottom Ross County, St Mirren, us and Hamilton. We all know how important the game is but there is no difference between one game and the next.
“It’s not good when we give the feeling we may not win and then we have no chance.
“After this we have eight games. It’s an important game, a big chance for us to improve our situation, and we want to use it.
“The last couple of games have been really good. We have been defending better as a team. The situation isn’t so much better but the feeling within the team is. We have stabilised.”
Even after falling behind at the weekend, Stendel could see his team had enough about them to get back into the game, which wouldn’t necessarily have been the case a few weeks ago.
He said: “They looked a little bit more comfortable even at 1-0 down. In previous weeks, when they went 1-0 down, they felt like it was just the start – they would quickly go 2-0 and sometimes 3-0 down.
“That has changed and, when you see how we conceded to Motherwell it’s not easy for the players to say, ‘OK, that doesn’t matter’.
“The team understand that sometimes we miss chances but that’s not the only reason we don’t win. It’s a team game. The result was OK.”
DANIEL STENDEL