Anderton admits Hearts may not get a big name

HEARTS have admitted they may have modify their ambitious bid to bring a big-name manager to the club. Sir Bobby Robson turned down an approach this week and Nevio Scala and George Burley have also been linked to Tynecastle.

But Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton says they may have to set their sights lower.

"The search continues, and we have got other people in mind," Anderton said. "We have got meetings set up next week with some managers. But after trying to get Bobby Robson, there is the danger of not getting a big-name manager. People are disappointed if who we get is not of the same calibre [as Robson]. But if we don't, we just continue the search at the next level."

Anderton said he was "gutted" to miss out on Robson who would have had the role of hands-on manager, not director of football. "He was clear that he would be on the training field," Anderton added. "He would have been in here running the whole football show. He wouldn't have been in the background as a director."

Meanwhile, Millwall are confident they can lure Burley to the New Den. Jeff Burnige, their chairman, said: "I came close to making an appointment recently, but now a new candidate - George Burley - has emerged. Given what he has achieved, I'm bound to be interested in someone of his quality and I will be taking the interest further. I anticipate making a further announcement next Tuesday."

Burley resigned as Derby County manager on Tuesday.

TYNECASTLE PITCH ALTERED TO MEET UEFA RULES

HEARTS have begun work on the Tynecastle pitch to bring it into line with UEFA regulations.

The club played European matches at Murrayfield this season because the playing surface at the Gorgie ground was too short.

However, by simply removing the front row of seats from the stand behind each goal Hearts can extend the pitch by two metres to make it the requisite 100m long. The club are also narrowing the pitch to 64m.

Having failed to qualify for next season's UEFA Cup, Hearts had hoped to postpone the work for a season, but their request was rejected by the Scottish Football Association.

Derek Hunter, the SFA's national club licensing officer, said: "We operate a domestic licensing system that also applies to Europe. Pitches must be 100m x 64m. Hearts are 98 and really need to be 100m before the season starts."

Taken from the Scotsman