Hearts have been forced to play three games at nearby BT Murrayfield after admitting that construction of their new main stand is two months behind schedule.
The Tynecastle club, who reached agreement to switch forthcoming home clashes with Kilmarnock and Motherwell, had planned for the £12 million structure to be open in time to host Aberdeen on September 9. But delays in building work mean they will play that fixture, and the following ones against St Johnstone on October 21 and Rangers on October 28, at the home of Scottish rugby.
Hearts will not be back on home soil until November. Owner Ann Budge has blamed wet weather in June and July, and shipping issues bringing seats from the Far East for the setback. In addition to using Murrayfield for three “home” matches, Hearts have reached agreement with Partick Thistle to reverse their encounter on September 23 to instead play at Firhill.
Budge said: “Unfortunately, despite the mammoth effort that has gone into the construction project, we are not going to make our targeted ‘open for business’ date of 9 September.
“The wettest June/July in years, coupled with the late delivery of seating from the Far East, due to shipping issues, means we will have to invoke our contingency plan and play our first few home fixtures at Murrayfield.
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“While this is disappointing, the co-operation of the management and staff at the SRU means we can accommodate all, indeed even more, of our supporters in fine style.”
It will be the first time Hearts have played at the rugby stadium since almost 58,000 watched a friendly with Barcelona in 2007.