WOOPS- Hearts team book into hotel hosting Billy McNeill Charity Dinner

To prepare for their title showdown with Celtic the Hearts team booked up for a quiet night at Mar Hall hotel.

Situated 17 miles west of Glasgow City Centre the five star hotel is a popular stop off for club and international teams playing in the city.

It is also base camp for the Billy (McNeill) Against Dementia charity which had a full day of activities.

After a day playing golf there was a two course dinner followed by a speaker before the guests socialised.

Not exactly the environment that Derek McInnes would want to prepare his players for a12.30 SPFL showdown with Celtic.

The guests at the event are unlikely to come from Celtic Ultras but there may be some boisterous activities and some late night singing.

More than a few of the guests will be checking out early to hit the M8 through to the east end of Glasgow for the big match.

WHO DECIDED TO BOOK HEARTS IN WITH CELTIC FANS DEREK?

Hearts may have booked certain private facilities but the plan would have been to enjoy some peaceful facilities to clear the head for a pivotal day. For the players to have full access to the hotel amenities.

Not for Lawrence Shankland and his pals to be serenaded by The Fields of Athenry!

McInnes would likely have had a major role in deciding where Heartswould spend the night before the big match with Celtic.

The former Kilmarnock manager lives locally and will be familiar with Mar Hall.

When the inquiry over a booking was made McInnes would have expected to be tipped off that there was a conflicting event being held in the hotel.

It was hardly kept secret with social media coverage of all of the events for McNeill’s charity.

Now the Hearts players could be sharing Weetabix and Corn Flakes with Celtic fans before being welcomed by 59,000 fans desperate to see the Jambos fail.