Neilson says other clubs only
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson insists Scottish clubs only have themselves to blame if they are facing financial ruin.
Neilson is adamant the Jambos will be able to survive a campaign behind closed doors, citing prudent planning by owner Ann Budge, strong season ticket sales and the backing of fans’ group Foundation Of Hearts.
By contrast, a meeting of all Championship, League One and League Two clubs on Friday resulted in several chairpersons privately suggesting a lack of paying punters due to the Covid pandemic for the foreseeable future would spell disaster.
Neilson, however, had little sympathy for the plight of hard-up rivals and accused some of painting themselves into a corner by following overly optimistic forecasts regarding the return of fans.
He also questioned what had happened to James Anderson’s unprecedented handout to SPFL clubs, with the philanthropist donating £50,000 to all 42 member teams in June as a Covid contingency.
Neilson was speaking candidly after a 2-0 win against Partick Thistle, their courtroom allies during the summer after both clubs felt they had been unjustly relegated by the SPFL.
The Hearts chief said: “We are in a good position and Ann Budge is very clued up on it.
“She is clever and, right from the start, she thought this situation would arise, not just with the fans but with the testing scenarios as well.
“It’s up to other clubs to get themselves into that position. Everyone knew what might happen
and a number of teams, like ourselves, budgeted for no fans – but some have budgeted for full houses in October. If you were doing things properly then you probably wouldn’t have done that, would you?
“There has been money put out there already by Mr Anderson so I’d like to think some of that has been kept for what it should be used for.”
However, Neilson is adamant his views are not indicative of any sour grapes after the Jambos were demoted. He added:
“We have moved on from what happened and are focused solely on ourselves.
“We want a good start in the Betfred, the Championship and have a massive semi-final coming up. I feel we are in a good position.”
That was underlined as Hearts cruised to a comfortable victory over the Jags.
Jamie Walker and Elliot Frear got the goals in a fixture streamed to more than 7000 supporters on Hearts TV. Neilson added: “We did well. The nature of games this season will be that once a team gets a lead, then everything can get flat because there are no fans to drive people on.” Inverness Caledonian Thistle started their on-field work for the new season in goal-ladened fashion by defeating Elgin 7-3 at Borough Briggs.
James Keatings curled home from 25 yards and Nikolay Todorov doubled Caley’s advantage before Kane Hester smashed Elgin into the game.
Keatings converted a penalty on 54 minutes. However, Hester intercepted a Robbie Deas header to slip home his second. Miles Storey netted via a post and Roddy Macgregor added a fifth before Stephen Bronsky headed home Elgin’s third with Storey and Macgregor scoring again late on.
Arbroath’s summer signing Kris Doolan found the net twice as Forfar were defeated 3-0 at Gayfield.
Raith Rovers brushed aside Berwick
Rangers 4-0 at Stark’s Park where Manny Duku tapped in and Dylan Tait had the Kirkcaldy club two up at half-time. Quinn Coulson added a goal before Tait netted a second time to wrap the game up.
Peterhead won 3-0 at Inverurie Locos, while Brechin ‘s Benjamin Luissint struck right at the death to earn the Glebe Park club a 1-1 draw against a Montrose side who had taken the lead through Lewis Hawke.
Clyde will meet Stirling Albion in this afternoon’s final of the Broadwood Cup after defeating St Mirren Colts 3-0, thanks to David Goodwillie’s double and a goal from Ross Cunningham. Albion booked their place with a 1-0 win over Cumbernauld Colts.
A trialist earned Dumbarton a 1-1 draw with BSC Glasgow, with Stenhousemuir coming from behind to defeat Lowland League Champions Kelty Hearts 2-1.
Cowdenbeath won 2-1 at Broughty Athletic.