MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 03:10:15| >> :600:90136:90136:

Hearts to lift Championship trophy without "fanfare"

Hearts to lift Championship trophy without
© Reuters
Fans had called for the club to boycott the trophy presentation in protest at last season's relegation.

Hearts will lift the Scottish Championship trophy with no "fanfare" or party.

The club faced a dilemma after a number of fans campaigned for them to boycott the trophy presentation in protest at their relegation with eight games remaining last season.

However, their skipper will collect the silverware on Saturday after their final home match against Inverness.

A club statement read: "We understand the views of some supporters that we should not lift the trophy on Saturday.

"However, our players and backroom staff deserve to be recognised as the group that took the club straight back out of, notoriously, the most difficult league in Scotland to win promotion from, in the most challenging circumstances imaginable.

"At full time the first team will collect their winners' medals and our captain, Steven Naismith, will lift the trophy – respectfully and to honour the players' achievement – before returning to the dressing room.

"There will be no fanfare, there will be no passing around of the trophy and there will be no party on the pitch, given the absence of our fans.

"This act will be an act of respect. Respect to our players for the 'hard yards' they put in over the course of the season, respect to our opponents who would love to be in our position and respect to the fans who continue to back the club in an unprecedented fashion.

"We will always conduct ourselves in a manner befitting this great club. We will always do the right thing, no matter the circumstances. We are Always Hearts."

ID:444485: cacheID:444485:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2423:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson pictured on October 31, 2020
Read Next:
Hearts claim Scottish Championship title after rivals drop points
>
Read more about Steven Naismith Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!