SPFL SPEAK OUT IN STADIUM ROW

THE SPFL have congratulated Hearts for ensuring Sunday’s game with Par tick Thistle went ahead — despite the Maryhill club calling for an inquiry into the chaotic build-up to the Premiership fixture.

Irate at the uncertainty which surrounded the opening of the £14million new main stand at Tynecastle, the Jags released a statement calling the circumstances ‘ unacceptable’ and asking the league for an extensive review of the matter.

Thistle were unsure if the match would proceed until a safety certificate was granted late on Saturday evening, with final confirmation only coming after a final safety check on Sunday morning.

After the 1-1 draw, Partick boss Alan Archibald asked if the same situation would have been allowed to develop had Rangers been Hearts’ opponents.

However, responding to Thistle’s strongly-worded complaint, the SPFL appeared to kill off their hopes of the matter being taken further and insisted they were right to give Hearts time to get clearance.

‘It is our policy to ensure we give every possible opportunity for matches to proceed at their scheduled time,’ read a statement.

‘That applies in cases of inclement weather, fogbound pitches or, in this situation, to enable building works to be completed.

‘Signs in the run-up to yesterday’s game, as well as the very regular updates we received, all indicated that the match would be able to proceed as scheduled.

‘We are grateful for the patience and understanding shown by both sets of fans, as well as by the players and officials of each club. We congratulate Hearts on pulling out all the stops to have the stadium ready for yesterday’s game.

‘A congested fixture schedule always presents a challenge, so we will always do what we can to avoid the need to squeeze more matches into an already busy calendar.

‘We note Partick Thistle’s calls fora review into the events surrounding this game and will be in contact with them in due course to discuss their views.

‘ The new Tynecastle stand represents a very significant investment by Hearts and is an extremely welcome addition to the game in Scotland.’

Having not played a league match at Tynecastle since April, Hearts now have a run of five straight fixtures at the revamped stadium between now and December 17.

The sense of elation Craig Levein’s side must feel at being back there is understandable, especially given that only 15 points were accrued in the 13 games away from their spiritual home this season.

But defender Christophe Berra has warned it would be folly to assume normal service will be resumed just because they’re back on familiar turf and says it’s a scenario that throws up its own pressures.

‘Tynecastle can be a hostile place,’ he said. ‘ When you’re winning it’s a great place but when you’re not playing so well and not winning the matches people expect, the fans won’t be happy. Especially here, the fans have expectations and they have every right to have them. You just have to deal with it.

‘ There’s always pressure no matter what club you play for. But especially at Hearts, where you’re seen as one of the top four clubs in the country, there’s pressure to deliver. As soon as you cross that white line fans expect you to win.’

The period of exile came with a built-in excuse. But no argument in mitigation for failing to deliver can be offered now.

‘It’s going to put pressure on us,’ admitted Berra. ‘ Hopefully it means the players will get used to their surroundings.

‘It’s difficult to have 13 away games in a row. Murrayfield was technically an away game and you could tell the difference in atmosphere here. Even in the warm-up, the fans are closer to the pitch.

‘It’s always important (to have a run of home games). Opposition teams have a different mentality. Playing away from home, they may sit in and suck it up a bit.’

To their credit, that’s what Thistle did to good effect on Sunday. Hearts enjoyed plenty of the ball but offered little by way of guile.

Esmael Goncalves’ goal came through one of the rare bits of quality on display. The point Partick plundered late on through Kris Doolan was thoroughly merited.

‘Especially in the first half, we were on the front foot but didn’t create many chances,’ conceded Berra. ‘I thought we played well, then in the second half they came into it a bit.

‘We didn’t feel under pressure. There was a five to ten minute spell where they had a couple of one-twos and there was a lastditch tackle but they had one scrappy shot on goal. We’d have been happy with that any day.

‘But that’s football. You move on, sometimes you get the rub of the green, sometimes you don’t. You j ust need to take i t on the chin.’