ROBBIE: OUR CUP RUNNETH OVER
Fan donations make sure Jambos cash in
ROBBIE NEILSON has paid tribute to fans for ensuring Hearts will be quids in despite missing out on a Scottish Cup Final cash injection.
The Jambos take on Celtic at Hampden in just over two weeks’ time, but it’s to be played behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions, depriving both clubs of a ticket revenue windfall.
However, the Gorgie faithful have decided to donate the cash they would have spent on going to the game to the Foundation of Hearts.
The news comes soon after the club posted their annual financial results.
And despite their demotion to the Championship and no gate money having come in since March, they still managed to post a profit of £473,000.
That was despite having to shell out £600,000 in legal fees.
And this latest backing from the support is another major boost with the continued uncertainty over when paying punters can return.
Neilson said: “It’s absolutely brilliant the support we’ve had and they’re now donating the money they would have spent on the final to the Foundation. It all comes back to the club.
“The financial results that came in for last year were a lot better than we all expected and we’re still expecting to post quite a significant loss for the year coming because of the crisis.
“So any money coming in is definitely beneficial for everyone.
“We’ve got the benefactors with their donations and the Foundation of Hearts but it’s all money that is coming in to try to help the club.”
Hearts still have two league fixtures to play before they can think about the cup final, however, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Cappielow to take on Morton.
It has been 32 years since the teams have played each other competitively, although Neilson’s more recent visits with Dundee United have him well versed on what to expect from David Hopkin’s team.
The Jambos gaffer said: “It has been a while. I didn’t realise how long it’s been.
“I’ve been there a few times in the last couple of years and it’s always tough.
“The surface makes it difficult. They set up quite defensively and it’s up to the opposition to break them down. It’s up to us to have the bit of quality in the final moment to get the goal.”