Forrest: Tynie as tough a test as Ibrox

JAMES FORREST claimed today that playing at Tynecastle is now equally as daunting as visiting Ibrox for Celtic as he admitted Hearts’ appetite and tenacity earned them Sunday’s victory over the Glasgow club.

Second-half goals from Rudi Skacel and Ryan Stevenson consigned Celtic to a 2-0 defeat which leaves them ten points behind Rangers in the SPL table. Forrest said the scoreline was difficult to stomach given the opportunities his side created in the first half.

However, he felt Hearts’ passionate approach had much to do with the final outcome at a venue which he considers among the most difficult in Scotland for away teams.

“Most of the boys know what it’s like away at Hearts because they’ve played there before,” said Forrest. “It’s just the same atmosphere at Tynecastle as it is at Ibrox. We had a few chances in the first half and, if we’d scored, you never know what could have happened.

“Hearts were on top of us and started the game well. We expected that from them, we knew they would get in our faces and play at 100 miles an hour.”

Meanwhile, Hearts supporters have launched a 1914 Memorial Trust to raise funds for a statue to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Great War.

The planned date for completion is 2014 to mark the 100th anniversary of the conflict commencing.

The official launch of the trust will be a fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 8 at 7pm in Tynecastle’s Gorgie Suite. The event will be hosted by Scott Wilson, with John Robertson, Wilson Hunter and Scott Glynn as guest speakers on the night. Tables of ten are priced at £350 and are available by contacting [email protected]