Mackay protest over move plans 

BY PAUL KIDDIE 

TYNECASTLE legend Gary Mackay demanded the return of a treasured Scotland strip from Hearts in protest at the club’s proposed move to Murrayfield.

Chief executive Chris Robinson has been forced to hand back the jersey Mackay wore against Bulgaria on his international debut in November 1987 after the former midfielder informed the club he no longer wanted the framed strip hanging in the Executive Lounge.

Mackay is an outspoken critic of Robinson’s plan to sell the famous ground and relocate to the home of Scottish rugby as the board strives to find a way of servicing the crippling debts of £17.6 million.

Mackay has become so disillusioned with the current regime at boardroom level that he contacted Hearts and asked to have his special memento returned.

Mackay scored a late winner against Bulgaria in Sofia, a victory which sent the Republic of Ireland through to the finals of the 1988 European Championships, the goal seeing the Hearts hero handed the freedom of Dublin by the grateful Irish.

The top has been hanging in the Executive Lounge at Tynecastle since Mackay handed it over to the club as a "thank you" to then boss Alex MacDonald and his assistant Sandy Jardine.

However, such is Mackay’s anger at the way Robinson has been running the club recently, that he said he would much prefer the souvenir returned to his own possession as soon as possible.

Mackay, now involved in the football agency business, popped into Tynecastle to pick up the jersey this week.

"I am totally disillusioned with the stewardship of Hearts at the moment, particularly after everything I heard at the recent annual general meeting," he said.

"I originally gave the strip to Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine, two guys who had my own and Hearts’ interests at heart, as a ‘thank you’.

"Without their help and encouragement I would never have played for my country and I was grateful to both of them.

"It was a difficult decision at the time to hand the strip over as it was a special occasion for me, not only to have made my debut for my country but to also have scored for Scotland.

"I was also the first Hearts player to represent Scotland since Donald Ford in 1974 so that meant a lot as well and I’ll never forget the reception I received from the fans at the next game I played against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

"The likes of Craig Levein, John Colquhoun, Dave McPherson, John Robertson and David McCreery all went on to win international honours and their strips are on display at Tynecastle.

"But I don’t believe the current board is acting in the best interests of Hearts and I have made my feelings known.

"That is why I asked for my strip back." 

If the club somehow find a way of remaining in Gorgie - a scenario which appears increasingly unlikely - Mackay would happily see the jersey returned.

"If that was the case, I would be delighted to hand it back, if the club wanted it," he said. "But it seems to me the board are driving on with their plans to move to Murrayfield regardless of what the fans opinions are. I don’t want my strip there but I suppose there will be plenty room for all the others."

Mackay will be among the guests of honour at a special debate on the future of Hearts which is to be held at the Capital’s Orwell Hotel on Tuesday night.

Robinson, former chairman Leslie Deans and Robert McGrail who is attempting to buy the stadium and lease it back to the club, will all be in attendance and will have the chance to give their own views on the Murrayfield issue.

The meeting is a sell-out, with fans urged not to turn up unless they have a ticket.  

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