A HARDEN company was a major player in a scheme to reconstruct Heart of Midlothian FC's pitch.

Sports turf research firm STRI oversaw the project at the Scottish Premiership club's Tynecastle Park ground.

And the new-look pitch immediately brought the team luck – it beat champions Celtic in the opening league game on the new surface.

Senior club management and directors decided in the spring to significantly invest in the playing surface and STRI was signed-up as designer and project manager.

The firm's blueprint included undersoil heating and a new drainage system.

There is also a pioneering environmental monitoring system, which will provide data including moisture levels and air temperatures.

Contractors Carrick Sports and SIS Grass carried out the work during the close season.

Hearts chairman Ann Budge said: "This was an 'impossible timetable' according to many and yet we managed to achieve it.

"We have to thank STRI for managing the process for us.

"The environmental monitoring system will allow our grounds team to ensure the surface is maintained to the highest standard."

Gordon Howat, STRI project manager, said the firm was delighted with the finished result.

He added: "As is always the case with stadium reconstruction projects, the timeframe for delivery was tight and access restrictions proved challenging.

"However the club, ourselves and Carrick Sports worked in collaboration to overcome these issues and – in association with SIS Grass – have produced a terrific surface that Heart of Midlothian FC can be proud of.

"Everybody within the project team is delighted with what has been accomplished this summer."