Clark may be king of Hearts

Ian Paul

17 Sep 1990

CARETAKER manager Sandy Clark is a front-runner to succeed Alex MacDonald at Hearts, although he has not applied for the job, writes Ian Paul.

Other leading candidates will be included in a short list drawn up today when chairman Wallace Mercer and his board meet to discuss those who have applied and those whose names have been mentioned as likely appointees.

"Some interesting names and ideas have been passed to us," said Mercer yesterday, "and when we get down to it this afternoon we will finalise the list."

Mercer wants the short leet compiled before the squad leaves for the Soviet Union tomorrow and their difficult UEFA Cup tie against Dnepr on Wednesday.

The win over Hibs in Saturday's troubled derby at Easter Road has given Mercer and his board some breathing space that would certainly not have been available had the result been the other way around.

It also did Clark's chances no harm as he directed operations from the stand where he no doubt felt aggrieved at being told to sit down on a few occasions by Hibs officials.

The experienced Clark, who had an abortive stint as Partick Thistle manager and a varied, invaluable playing career, takes his men into the Ukraine tomorrow armed with knowledge he gained at first hand when he watched them on their own pitch recently.

Despite the difficulties of the past week which have left him in sole charge of the entire playing staff, Clark goes into the UEFA Cup tie with more confidence than the team might have felt before Saturday's win.

"I thought our lads showed tremendous professionalism against Hibs," he said, "and if they show the same attitude in Russia I am sure we can get a good result."

Hearts will be without suspended defender Dave McPherson, and Clark will have to take a close look at some injured personnel today before naming his pool.

Craig Levein suffered a knock at Easter Road, while others have aches and pains which need attention.

Whoever heads for the Soviet exercise they can expect a tough night against Dnepr, the team which has made most improvement in the Soviet Union in the last decade.

They were the first Soviet team to turn professional, in 1986, and since then have been challengers to Kiev and Moscow Dynamo.

Four of their players have been called into the Soviet international side since new manager Eugeni Kucherevski took over from Valery Lobanowski after the World Cup.

They were beaten only by Benfica, ultimate finalists, in the Champions' Cup quarter-final last season and obviously will be formidable opponents.

Hearts, however, showed in their last sojourn in Europe two seasons ago that, on form, they can compete with the best.

Taken from the Herald