Hearts and Raith Rovers say Saturday's game should go ahead at Tynecastle despite Covid outbreak

Hearts and Raith Rovers met at Tynecastle in the Betfred Cup earlier this season.

Raith’s game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday was postponed as the Fife club said they could not fulfill the fixture due to the number of players in isolation.

They now face Hearts twice in four days – Edinburgh on Saturday and then Kirkcaldy next Tuesday night – and are preparing to welcome some of their squad back.

“Raith’s game was off on Saturday because they had a number of people isolating, but quite a number of them were already isolating before this outbreak,” the Hearts manager Robbie Neilson told the Edinburgh Evening News.

“They are all expected to come back so Raith are expecting to have a squad to play the game. Then they should have some more players back for the midweek game.

“That’s our understanding of it. Saturday’s game should go ahead because they have that group coming back who were already isolating.”

Raith issued a statement on their website which read: “Raith Rovers have been co-operating fully with numerous partners and agencies in relation to the recent Covid-19 outbreak.

“Working alongside them, the club have undertaken additional measures and have been doing all that is required in keeping all staff safe. We look forward to playing in Saturday’s fixture against Hearts at Tynecastle.”

Neilson admitted he cannot predict how strong Raith’s team will be this weekend. He is preparing Hearts to follow up their 3-1 win at Alloa on Saturday with another three points.

The Edinburgh club are currently seven points ahead at the top of the Scottish Championship table.

“We want to make sure the game goes ahead, so that means ensuring our players look after themselves. They get tested again on Wednesday and hopefully everyone comes through that again,” said Neilson.

“I’ve no idea what team Raith will put out. They might have a full-strength team, they might now. We just need to make sure we’re ready for it. We got a good result on Saturday at Alloa but it means nothing if we don’t back it up the following week.”

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