Hearts talents see cup chance postponed after 'impossible' conditions that had advert boards 'blown about'
The opposition gaffer believes the right decision was made as storm Bram continues.
Hearts B’s KDM Evolution Trophy tie with St Johnstone was postponed on Tuesday night - as Simo Valakari insisted it was the only option.
As Storm Bram sweeps the nation, the referee chose to postpone the round of 32 clash with winds up to 65 mph in the capital. The Ainslie Park tie wasn’t the only match that was postponed, as Cove Rangers vs Partick Thistle, Queen of the South vs Dunfermline Athletic and Queen’s Park vs Clyde also never went ahead.
Saints gaffer Valakari believed the correct decision was made by the referee, however he did feel for some of his fringe players who he planned on giving a chance to in the Hearts B clash. St Johnstone were held to a goalless draw at McDiarmid Park against Raith Rovers on Saturday and have a mammoth fixture against Ayr United away on Friday night. The Challenge Cup postponement could therefore give them a much needed rest.
‘It was the right decision’
The St Johnstone boss revealed that a few of his players were ‘gutted’ when the referee called the game off, however from a safety perspective, he feels it was the correct call. He told Courier Sport: “for the safety of the players, it was the right decision.”
“It would have been almost impossible to play football in those conditions. You saw with the goalkeepers trying to kick the ball out of the box in the warm-up how strong that wind was. Balls were flying everywhere and you could see advertising boards getting blown about.
“Both teams wanted to play but unfortunately it just wasn’t possible. Hopefully we can rearrange it soon. When the referee told us I could see a lot of gutted players. There were boys who haven’t been playing much who were going to start tonight. It was cruel for them.”
Winds of change
The Saints have enjoyed a successful campaign in the Scottish Championship after being relegated last season. They currently sit top of the table, level on points with Partick Thistle, however they remain winless in their last three outings.
Valakari believes they now have to switch up their plans for the Somerset Park after the postponement, as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table. He continued: “We had been planning our week on the basis that we would be playing three games.
“Now we will change our plans, obviously. It was out of our control. Already, I am now thinking about Friday. Whether it will be good or bad for us that this game was postponed, nobody knows. We just have to make sure our training is good in the build-up to the Ayr game.”