Hearts get go ahead for stand after police concerns

HEARTS have secured permission to host Motherwell on Saturday despite police calling for Tynecastle’s safety certificate to be reviewed.

The £12 million structure was opened last month but Police Scotland identified a number of problems and wrote to City of Edinburgh Council urging swift action to ensure the ground was made a “safe and reliable stadium”.

The Jambos were forced to delay their return to Tynecastle until November 19 after their summer redevelopment project ran over by more than two months.

But they have allayed fears over another exile from their ground this weekend.

In a statement, they said: “Heart of Midlothian Football Club can confirm that it was contacted by Edinburgh City Council with regards to a letter sent to them by Police Scotland.

“The letter expressed some concerns regarding general security following a number of unrelated incidents at the first three games held at Tynecastle Park.

“Following a satisfactory outcome to a meeting at the stadium, attended by all parties, the club is looking forward to welcoming Motherwell FC to Tynecastle Park tomorrow.”

The letter from the Police had raised fresh concerns over crowd safety and movement, with the possibility of pitch invasions and a build-up of spectators in several areas.

And they claimed there was potential for increased tension and risk around where officials are positioned, with the directors’ box having “no delineation from the rest of the stand”.

Arsene Wenger