A mercenary choice for Wallace

Ray Hepburn

25 Jan 1993

HEARTS chairman Wallace Mercer could be about to find out just how closely related to his day job is the running of his beloved football club.

Larger-than-life Mercer earns a crust buying and refurbishing property in the capital, with the object of gleaning some reward from renting the finished product.

Similarly with football, particularly for clubs like Hearts, buying the raw material at economic rates and building a money-making unit, is the long-term strategy.

But people in the property game are finding that the depth of the current recession has forced them to break the main and sell assets to keep things ticking over.

The presence of Arsenal manager George Graham at Tynecastle on Saturday is confirmation, if any were needed, that Hearts have in Alan McLaren an asset that could solve the cash-flow problems.

The former Scotland internationalist rarely watches potential recruits personally unless a purchase is imminent, and the quietly effective McLaren did nothing against Motherwell to obstruct a deal.

So if Graham decides to write a seven-figure cheque for the 22-year-old, how big a dilemma would face the premier division's third top club? Their overdraft is in excess of £2m, and although the bank are relaxed, the man in the pinstripe suit would be positively gushing were the balance to be meaningfully reduced.

Attendances at Tynecastle have tumbled, as they have almost everywhere, to 10,400 on average after Saturday's

0-0 draw against Motherwell from close to 16,000 just three years ago.

The temptation must be great, but the downside is not attractive.

Selling one of the club's favourite players would have a further damaging effect on support.

And manager Joe Jordan, who is still pondering a new contract, may view such a prospect as a sign that, perhaps, a change of surroundings might be best for him.

Mercer is in buoyant mood these days, displaying the demeanour of a man who has chosen eight score draws, and is simply waiting to find out the dividend.

Perhaps a new investor in Hearts is on the horizon or fresh sponsorship is on the way.

Whatever the reason, he does not look ready to pin a for-sale sign on anything.

On Saturday, he still was able to shrug off a 6600 attendance -- down around 3000 -- as "disappointing, but something we'll have to put up with just now."

Those who stayed indoors on Saturday missed a good match.

There was a lot to admire about Hearts fluent, passing style and Motherwell's stubborn, often intelligent defending.

Goalkeeper Sieb Dykstra, with super saves from Allan Preston, John Robertson, and Ian Baird, did most to ensure survival even without Elroy Kromheer, who was sent off, for the final 36 minutes.

Hearts look back on the upgrade, which is why Mercer won't sell McLaren.

The property man's judgment will tell him that the long-term asset value is greater than the ready cash.

Taken from the Herald