Hearts fans have mixed feelings about merging stadiums with Edinburgh Rugby

By Christine Lavelle

HEARTS fans have given mixed reviews to the possibility of their club moving to a new 25,000-seat stadium which would be shared with Edinburgh Rugby.

The proposal has been made by former Rangers tycoon Sir David Murray’s property company Murray Estates, which is proposing to build a multi-use sports stadium on a 600-acre green-belt piece of land near Edinburgh Park.

The company is discussing the plan with both Heart of Midlothian Football Club and Edinburgh Rugby.

Jestyn Davies, managing director of Murray Estates, said the model would be comparable to Liberty Stadium in Wales – where football team Swansea City shares the ground with Magners League rugby side the Ospreys.

But Thomas Harris, secretary of the Bonnyrigg Hearts Supporters Club, said the move could impact on local businesses in the Gorgie area.

Hearts and Hibs pair team up for Blood Donor campaign push

By Rory Reynolds

TWO of the Scotland’s top football clubs have teamed up to boost the number of people giving blood over the October half-term break.

Hibs captain Chris Hogg and Hearts centre-back Marius Zaliukas appeared at the Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre to draw awareness to the 20 per cent drop in bloodstocks that the NHS suffers over the holiday period.

The footballers urged fans to give blood, and highlighted that they could save a lives with a simple gesture.

Hibs captain Chris Hogg said that every donor could make a difference to someone’s life.

Blood

He said: “It’s important that all football fans come forward and help the Service at this time and I would add my encouragement to them to come along and give blood.

“We just want to try and help highlight the need for new donors today and if we can do that, maybe it will help save or improve someone’s life.”