Levein - Hearts Match Too Soon After Tragic Events

Manager Craig Levein isn`t expecting a 5-star performance from his Dundee United players against Hearts this afternoon, after the traumatic events of last weekend.

Dundee United requested that the SPL clash against Hearts was postponed after Motherwell captain Phil O`Donnell passed away after the game at Fir Park.

However, the SPL chief`s in their infinite wisdom, refused to call-off the game and many are disgusted with their decision.

The Old Firm match and the Motherwell-Hibs game were postponed, but all the other SPL matches are going ahead because the SPL said their was no "direct link" between the clubs and the last Motherwell captain.

The Dundee United players are unlikely to have their minds on football, after witnessing O`Donnell collapse at Fir Park last weekend.

"My players indicated to me they would rather not play the game because they felt it was too soon after last weekend`s tragic events," Levein told the Dundee Courier.

"I don`t want to have a go at the SPL - Now is not the time for things like that, but I want to let people know that my players and everyone at Dundee United has great sympathy with Phil`s family and those who knew him."

"It`s a very difficult situation for everyone involved, including the SPL, so we will just get on with our business in a professional manner."

Dundee United Chairman Eddie Thompson is in total agreement with his manager, he said "The manager, on my instructions, got the players together after training and asked how they felt about what had happened at the weekend and about playing again so soon."

"One or two of our players were particularly involved in what occurred and the feeling was that the game had come a little too soon."

"I therefore contacted the SPL and asked that they consider our fixture be called off but they said no. I had lengthy discussions on the subject but they would not relent, so the match proceeds as planned."