Uefa visits Tynecastle to brief Hearts

Published on Sunday 28 June 2009 23:14

HEARTS have stepped up moves to ensure Tynecastle will be ready for European football next season after meeting with officials from Uefa.

The Gorgie club will enter the inaugural Europa League at the play-off stage in late August, leaving them only one tie away from the group stages of the revamped tournament.

Should they reach the first round they will face three opponents home and away, as in the Champions League, with strict new guidelines being imposed on teams that qualify.

Hearts have not played a European match at Tynecastle since 2003, opting instead to use nearby Murrayfield three years ago when reaching the Champions League qualifiers in 2006.

However, managing director Campbell Ogilvie is confident the club can make the necessary alterations to changing, media and hospitality facilities, as well as the amendments to the technical area that have already begun, to ensure they meet requirements.

Ogilvie met last week with officials from Uefa to be briefed on the necessary changes. He said: "Tynecastle is very special to Hearts supporters and feedback has been very positive about the decision to remain 'at home' for European games.

"We have to be creative in certain areas in order to make sure we're ready for this campaign, although much of what we are doing is relatively straight forward."