Kelty Hearts to be among the first to face Rangers

[Steve1872 4]

Fife junior side Kelty Hearts are set to take on Ally McCoist's new-look Rangers in one of the fallen Glasgow giants' first pre-season fixtures.

The Central Park side, who finished fifth in the East Super League last season, have been lined up to face the Ibrox club next Wednesday to mark Kelty stalwart Stefan Winiarski's decade of service to the west Fife outfit.

 

While the Rangers stars may have been used to going to grounds like Celtic Park in the past, Winiarski's testimonial will be played at the 3,000-capacity Central Park in a game that is sure to give the demoted Gers a taste of things to come.

 

Such is expected to be the interest in the fixture, Kelty have had to make the match all-ticket on police advice.

 

Club treasurer George Mctrusty said the game had been organised some time ago but had taken on added significance in the past week or so.

 

''It looks like it will be the new Rangers' first game so needless to say everybody and their granny is wanting tickets,'' he said.

 

''We thought it might just have been a young team they sent but now it looks like it could be quite a strong team they are going to put out. They won't have many games before they start the season for real so it should be a great game for us and the supporters.

 

''It'll be a night to remember for Stefan, who's a local lad and deserves it.''

 

It is also understood Sky Sports News are interested in filming the game and showing highlights, with Kelty having to construct a camera gantry to accommodate their request.

 

The Hearts, who were formed in 1975 and turned junior five years later, play their home games at Central Park, which so far has had a highest attendance of 2,450 for a Scottish Junior Cup quarter- final against Montrose Roselea in 1999.

 

Winiarski, who was born and bred in Kelty, was capped for Scotland under-14s and signed for St Johnstone at 16 before being loaned to his hometown club.

 

He went on to have spells with East Fife, Montrose and Hill of Beath throughout his career but has returned to Kelty a number of times, with his proudest moment in the maroon of Kelty Hearts coming in 2003 when they lifted the Fife League title.

 

Now the 34-year-old is preparing to pit his wits against players who were regularly playing SPL football last season but have found themselves facing games in the lowest tier of the senior setup this term.

 

Charles Green's newco Rangers may have been accepted into Division Three last week but uncertainty still surrounds the club's future as SFA still need to agree on sanctions imposed on Rangers before they can take their place in the league.

 

Nevertheless, both parties are optimistic a consensus can be reached.

 

The SFA said: ''We aim to meet with the club this week with the intention of achieving a satisfactory outcome for all parties so that we can focus on football in time for the new campaign.''

 

If the game does go ahead, tickets can be bought in person from The Lyndsey Tavern in Kelty and from the Kelty Hearts Social Club which is open Friday to Sunday this week.

 

Winiarski and Kelty have decided to donate a percentage of the gate money from next week's testimonial to the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund.

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Sport/Football/article/23959/kelty-hearts-to-be-among-the-first-to-face-newco-rangers.html

[Steve1872 4]

It is also understood Sky Sports News are interested in filming the game and showing highlights, with Kelty having to construct a camera gantry to accommodate their request

[Steve1872 4]

Royalists’ glamour game hangs in balance

 

 

 

 

Published on Wednesday 18 July 2012 16:24

 

 

 

 

DOUBTS surround Saturday’s proposed pre-season friendly between Hawick Royal Albert and Rangers.

 

Talks between the troubled Glasgow club and the Scottish Foorball Association are continuing with a view to Ally McCoist’s men obtaining a licence to play.

 

And without the licence the weekend’s glamour match at Albert Park can’t go ahead.

 

Although Albert officials remain confident it will be played, those at Ibrox are more pessimistic although they have stressed, if cancelled, the game would be rearranged for a later date.