DREAD LETTER DAY
Mackay blasts SFA over fear of league shutdown but insists nothing surprises him about our game’s bosses these days
HEARTS legend Gary Mackay admits nothing that comes from Scottish football’s governing bodies shocks him any more.
That’s why he feared the worst when news broke that the SFA had written to every Championship club to ask if they wanted the season to go on in light of rising Covid cases.
Mackay’s first thought was that, just months after his club were put through the relegation wringer, their fate was again going to be in the lap of the gods in their quest to head straight back up.
Thankfully the weekend brought reassurances from all 10 second-tier outfits that they do plan to play on.
Nevertheless Mackay remains uneasy. And he has urged Hearts to do all in their power to ensure that, if the worst does happen, they are in such a strong position that promotion can’t be denied.
He said: “I don’t think anything surprises me that comes from the powers that be in Scottish football these days.
“I get that it’s a difficult time. But surely if the governing body have a positive relationship with the clubs, there should have been some quiet dialogue to get a feel for their opinions.
“Rather than sending out a letter that, in hindsight, was always going to be something that would be discussed in the public domain.
“You hope the lessons have been learned after what went on in the summer when the decisions were made regarding last season ending.
“The worry was there might have been something deeper rooted in this letter being sent out – is it opening a window of opportunity for the governing body to close the league down?
“Hearts can only look after themselves. They have to make sure they continue to be in a position that, if anything does go drastically wrong, they are in a situation that would equate to where Rangers are with Celtic right now.
“They have to make sure there’s a good gap between them and the rest.
“Make sure the players are doing their utmost to stay safe, that they are getting checks and do nothing which will put themselves into situations that allow them to pick up the virus.”
Friday’s SFA communication to clubs had hinted at comments from Mackay’s former Jambos team-mate John Robertson – now manager of Inverness – as the reason for them canvassing opinion over a potential shutdown. Robbo, second only to Mackay in the all-time appearance records for Hearts, had voiced his concern at the reasons for continuing the Championship.
While he was delighted from a football perspective that the league was continuing, he feared the authorities were placing TV cash above the safety of players and staff.
Inverness chief Scot Gardiner responded to the SFA’s letter, saying it had “misrepresented” the club’s position. The top two divisions were allowed to continue while the rest of Scottish football was suspended until the virus was back under control.
And the fact £5million was shared between the Championship clubs by way of government grants to help with testing eases Mackay’s fears it could be next to be shut down.
He said: “Very rarely do clubs get handed £500,000 for testing if there is a thought process the league is going to be closed.
“That gives me a wee bit of faith it won’t happen. I thought there was a bit of give and take with the decision to shut down below the Championship.
“There was a coming together that if all the other leagues close down then the bargaining would allow the top two to continue.”
Hearts lead by seven points at the summit and Mackay added: “You just have to make sure your own house is in order and, if there is any doubt about the league continuing, then Hearts are in a strong position in a points-per-game ratio.”