Hearts claim Sky Sports 'crown jewel' as Andrew McKinlay makes promise after Player of the Year changes
The Hearts CEO has addressed a variety of topics including broadcasting picks and Champions League seating.
Andrew McKinlay insists the latest Edinburgh derby taking Sky Sports’ prime coverage slot sums up Hearts progress this season - as he backed changes to the Player of the Year awards.
Post-split fixtures with the Jambos currently top of the Premiership have thrown up rare kick-off slots for the Tynecastle club. Their derby with Hibs on April 26th at Easter Road will kick-off at 4:30pm GMT on Sky, a slot usually reserved for the broadcaster’s major matches in the Premier League, while a critical clash with Rangers takes place at 5:30 on a May 4th bank holiday.
Fans who bought tickets for the Player of the Year dinner a day earlier have had alternative plans explained to them, which involves first-team players appearing for a shorter period. The event will begin with a drinks reception at 3.45pm and the official start time is now 4.45pm. Players will leave after the first hour and CEO McKinlay insists steps are being taken to ensure such a situation doesn’t occur again, as Hearts continue to grab headlines amid a pursuit of their first top flight title since 1960.
Why have Hearts moved their Player of the Year Dinner?
“We've never had a situation where a game's been on the bank holiday, so none of us had really seen that,” McKinlay told Hearts TV. “We will now in the future make sure that we don't fall foul of this situation. It's something that's come with the success we've had this year. It's something that generally, when you look at the post-split fixtures that yet again, we've got an eight o’clock on a Saturday night, we've got 4:30 against Hibs.
“I know people don't like games being displaced for TV, but we need to remember that Sky have been fantastic for the game in Scotland, and invest a lot of money in the game in Scotland. With the success we've had this season, it has meant that we've had a load more games on Sky. We've had a lot of eight o’clock Saturday nights and that is something that we will need to accept. The 4:30 game against Hibs that, as everyone knows, is Sky's crown jewel spot of any weekend.
“For us to be given that is just incredible and it's testament to what we have done this season, that it’s what they want to be the big game in two weeks time. Going back to the Player of the Year, I know people have questioned whether it should be on at all on the Sunday, and that we should not do anything that puts player welfare in jeopardy with such a big game on the Monday. I can assure people that we didn't make any decisions around this without consulting with the team, the manager, and our sports science people who understand these issues. The solution that we've come up with is something that is acceptable to everyone and will have no adverse impact on the players for the game on the Monday.”
What changes will Hearts have to make for Champions League?
Should Hearts win the league, it will see them clinch a Champions League play-off spot, leaving them two games away from Europe’s top table. Changes will be needed in that realm due to UEFA requirements and stadium configuration needs, including the expansion of press box from its current location behind the dugouts. It will be based in Section Q upper to “meet the minimum numbers required for media facilities across all UEFA competitions”.
“Each time we've been in Europe we've always had to make changes,” added McKinlay. “Over the years there's been things like dugouts, floodlights, and various other bits and bobs. One of the things that we've struggled with has been working space for the media. Given where we are in the league, we have to look at all eventualities for next season: meaning we must look at what's required in all three European competitions. The club must be able to satisfy UEFA that we'll be able to host the press whichever competition we may end up in.
“Therefore, we are having to make some changes around the location of the press box, which unfortunately will be displacing some fans. I’m sorry for that because I know people don't like to move but hopefully, we'll get them into other really good, if not better, seats than they're currently in. I think in the main there's been a real understanding there - that it's something that we've had to do to make sure we can play our games at Tynecastle which we're all wanting to do. We're all desperate for that to be Champions League but we'll see how that all pans out.”
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