TV blanking the big games, says Gorgie boss

ROBBIE NEILSON has urged Scottish football to start broadcasting showcase fixtures on a more regular basis. The Hearts boss takes his team to Ibrox for tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash feeling confident about their chances of victory. But he’s annoyed that restrictions to the SPFL’s £125million Sky Sports deal, now into its second season, mean the game won’t be one of 48 matches shown live this term. ‘I think there are a lot of good games we don’t put on TV,’ said Neilson. ‘And then they go to games I wouldn’t even want to watch, never mind people all over the world.’ Hearts are one of five clubs who recently commissioned financial experts Deloitte to carry out a review aimed at increasing revenue across the SPFL. One of the ideas gaining ground among the group, which includes Aberdeen, Hibs, Dundee United and Dundee, is squeezing more cash out of TV companies by relaxing rules on how often they can broadcast from each ground. Neilson, who revealed he has discussed the issue with Hearts chairman Ann Budge and CEO Andrew McKinlay, said: ‘We played Aberdeen recently and that, for me, was a game that should be shown to showcase all the teams. ‘But, the way the contract works, they have to go round certain teams every so often, that’s the way it is. ‘I think selection of games is a big thing, but it will come down to money and teams maybe not getting the same amount of games on TV.’ Sky managed to negotiate a little more leeway in their current deal as part of an agreement allowing Premiership clubs to broadcast home games to season-ticket holders via club TV. But concerns over missing out on a potential title decider later in the season inevitably sees them hold games back in reserve, leaving potentially huge fixtures like tomorrow’s showdown in Govan blanked out. Neilson is pleased that restrictions on away fans have been lifted for his team’s trip to Ibrox. ‘It’s brilliant,’ he said. ‘We have 900 and I’m sure they will be making some noise.’