Hearts in a race against time

awarding of the certificate itself isn’t a concern but admit they are fearful they won’t have it in time for the weekend. Mindful of the need to give notice to both sets of supporters as well as the SPFL, a call on the matter is likely to be made on Thursday. Hearts have kept Thistle and the Hampden authorities up to speed on developments and would not anticipate any disciplinary action being taken in the event of a postponement. A club statement said: ‘Work is continuing at a considerable pace with a view to being ready for Sunday’s 3pm kick-off against Partick Thistle.’ Previously hopeful of demolishing the old stand and constructing the new one in around five months, Hearts requested their final few games of last season and the opening segment of this term to be played away from home. After realising an original return date of September was unrealistic, they struck a deal to play an initial three games at Murrayfield. This was extended to accommodate the recent match with Kilmarnock but, with the home of rugby now in use for the autumn Tests, that is no longer an option. Having won one, drawn one and lost two of their four games at Murrayfield, the club were anxious to return to Tynecastle as soon as possible, but that may need to wait until the visit of Ross County on Saturday week.

JONNY EVANS admits Scotland would land an ‘inspirational’ manager if they succeeded in luring Michael O’Neill away from Northern Ireland. But the West Bromwich Albion centre-back anxiously hopes O’Neill will decide to rebuff any SFA offer and remain with his current employers. Northern Ireland narrowly missed out on following up their Euro 2016 qualification with a place at next summer’s World Cup following a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Switzerland in the play-offs. Those stunning achievements with the smallest of the home nations have made Edinburgh resident O’Neill the leading contender to replace Gordon Strachan. While SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has insisted Scotland won’t rush into an appointment, the IFA are now braced for an approach from their Hampden counterparts. The terms of the 48-year-old’s deal mean the SFA would not have to pay the £750,000 compensation clause which is