There's talk today of Hearts playing a 'home' SPL game in Austailia next year with Celtic the probable opponents...weird!
Yeah I read that, apparently some aussie company want to pay half a million for us to do it, dunno if thats half a million each or between us but I suppose it could be done, its infront of the SFA for consideration anyway.
Could you provide a link for this story? Would it be during the season? Preseason? Seems odd if during the season. That's quite a long trip. But it would be worth the $ for Hearts. Too bad they can't bring the Jambos over to the States during the preseason "Champions" tour.
Links http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/3528943.stm http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/03/1078295447839.html Personally, I think its a great idea. I just hope it gets the go ahead.
O'Neill scoffs at Hearts O'Neill scoffs at Hearts O'Neill scoffs at Hearts At: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/3531391.stm Wouldn't it make more sense to start somewhere closer? How about the US or Canada? And then go to the farther reaches of the globe. I would love to see the Jambos play anyone here in the States -- especially if it were right here in Kansas City.
I think Celtic have said that they are still to consider the offer despite what O'Neill says. Tribal Football - the co. behind the venture - have also stated that Rangers could be used instead.
Surely if it's Hearts they want to bring over then it doesn't matter who the opposition is? Or are they only interested in having one of the Old Firm out there... If one were being cynical, one would suggest this is a 'red herring' story released to take some of the heat off Chris Robinson over the Murrayfield move (and his lack of resignation letter).
I think the Old Firm would be a bigger hit with the Australians and would help bring in a decent crowd. You're probably right about Robinson's motives but I think its an idea with great potential.
Here's an interesting article about when Hearts went 'Down Under' in 1959. http://forum.jambos.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=88&Itemid=31
Good idea in principal. However, would it not be better to have say, the League cup final over there rather than giving Hearts a disadvantage when it comes to the SPL? If everyone else has 2 home games against Celtic, why should we have to make do with just one, and the other being played at a neutral ground? Mind you, the SPL are hardly known for fairness! Hmm, better email Luckies and find out about bus times for this!
Two things to consider, 1) Will Hearts have first priority on this stadium? If not, this is a breach of SPL rules. 2) Does this stadium have under soil heating. Being Australia, I seriously doubt it. This is also against SPL rules. Typical SPL double standards and hypocrisy coming into play methinks.
I think its basically illegal to play games outside Scotland but these rules could be overlooked to promote the SPL abroad.
Yes, but I'm sure Falkirk and possibly Clyde may have something to say if the two rules above were 'sidestepped' for the good of the SPL. Does the SPL ever do anything that isn't for the good of the SPL clubs bank balance?
If Celtic plays in Melbourne, I will walk the 1000 kms to the MCG if I have to. The problem will be that, for a Hearts "home" game, I'm guessing 90% of the partisan fans will be Hoops. If played at the Telstra Dome, yes. If at the MCG, then no in August (due to the AFL) and possibly yes in January. No, it doesnt. I dare say many of these sorts of rules could be waived, as they are designed to deal with situations irrelevant to Melbourne in summer.
How can Hearts have first priority over a stadium in Australia? The SPL requires confirmation of 1st priority for the whole season. Does nobody else play at the Telstra Dome. If so, they would have to waive their rights as staduim owners for the sake of one SPL team. Under soil heating, this rule cannot be waived. Teams in the 1st division could very well be denied entry to the SPL (like Falkirk) on the grounds that their stadium does not have under soil heating. That is a rule in the constitution of the SPL. Anybody who is denied enrty to the SPL on this basis could sue the SPL for waiving this rule. I'm sorry that you won't get to see your team in your country, but this game will NEVER take place. It is a pipe dream!
I assumed you meant first priority for the stipulated period of the tour, and a reasonable margin either side - this is an exception to the regulations the SPL would have to allow if the fixture was to be at all possible, I took that for granted. In terms of undersoil heating... it simply isn't neccessary in Australia. For the match to be moved, you would have to create exceptions to countless other SPL regulations, if these went through (I agree, probably not likely) then the heating issue would be a minor one in comparison - I imagine the SPL would want to inspect the pitch to determine if it meets standards. I don't share your certainty about the match not taking place. I agree, it is highly unlikely, and under current SPL regulations it is impossible. It just depends how receptive the clubs are to the idea, and how far the SPL is willing to bend or provide exception to the rules in favour of a commercial opportunity. But money talks, and stranger things have happened.
These may seem silly rules that should be waived if the good of the games demanded it but a big fuss has been kicked up in Scotland because the SPL were unwilling to bend the rules to allow promotion from the 1st division. The SPL set a precedent when they did not budge on these rules and it would be highly hypocritical, not to mention illegal (probably) to waive these rules for a quick buck. Ideas, such as this, may arise, which would benefit the game in Scotland. But, unfortunately, the SPL has shown that it is not really interested in the overall good of the game and have constantly acted in a way that only benefits themselves. I find it quite funny that their own stuborness and selfishness may now hamper them. I realise that some people, like yourself, are optimistic about this idea but I'm 99% certain that this will not happen. Maybe the SPL will act a bit fairer the next time their own well being is at stake.
maybe I missed this point in the above, but the reason the sponsors are offering Hearts the match is they want them to play one of the OF games in Oz and Hearts will get a bigger pay off than if they played at Tynecastle or Murrayfield. Hearts could be changed with Dundee, Dunfermeline, or any other team who would be willing to give up a regular season game at their home stadium against the Old Firm. I'm not in favor of this, but the SPL needs to find a way to gain supporters around the world.
I've heard from some South Melbourne fans that many Australian soccer fans would be very interested in the game. Many of whom wouldn't want to jump on the Celtic "band-wagon" but instead support Edinburgh's finest. I also think that the crowd would support the "underdog" like they did in the RWC and also support Hearts as we have an Australian player in Patrick Kisnorbo.