Nothing artificial in Hearts’ rota plan
HEARTS head coach Robbie Neilson will pick a team to suit the Palmerston pitch when the Scottish Championship leaders face Queen of the South.
Neilson has a full squad, but is set to change the team that thrashed Livingston 5-0 when they play on the artificial pitch in Dumfries.
Neilson said: “It’s a squad game now. I’ll pick a team for going down to play on astroturf that will be different from the team that played on grass on Saturday.
“It’s important people understand that it’s not about keeping certain players happy, it’s about winning matches.
“If winning football matches means changing the team and putting some boys in and taking some guys out, then it’s all about the football club and winning games and winning the league.”
Neilson, whose side are six points clear of Rangers, added: “It will be a very difficult game. It’s on astroturf which we’re not used to. We’ve been preparing this week on it and we’ll do the same next week for the Alloa game.
“It’s not a concern. Most of our players have grown up in the academy system where you play a lot of games on astro.
“I don’t have an issue playing on it. It’s just getting used to it.”
Hibernian head coach Alan Stubbs is looking for his side to put aside their euphoria following a 3-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox and focus on the visit of play-off hopefuls Raith Rovers.
Stubbs said: “We have had a great result on Monday, but it’s gone now. Raith have been very strong away from home, so that tells us everything we need to know about them.
“They have been hard to beat and have had a couple of convincing wins, so we really need to be on our game.”