HEARTS SMELL OF TEAM SPIRIT - GLENNON

Falkirk goalkeeper Matt Glennon has credited Hearts manager George Burley for developing the Tynecastle team spirit which has turned the Jambos into genuine Bank of Scotland Premier League title challengers.

Hearts major shareholder Vladimir Romanov has received many plaudits for rejuvenating the Edinburgh club since taking over at Tynecastle.

But Glennon, 26, believes the ex-Derby and Ipswich boss must take the credit for moulding the incoming players into a tight unit, which has claimed eight successive SPL wins.

The Bairns' keeper is now aiming to prevent Hearts claiming a ninth triumph on the run at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday, but admits he admires what Burley has achieved this season.

Glennon said: "George Burley has definitely got a lot to do with Hearts' resurgence.

"He has brought players in, but you have to get them working together and he has developed a good team spirit.

"He always did well in England and has a good reputation as a solid manager, who has achieved some great results.

"When he took over at Derby, they were nowhere.

"They were nearly relegated the year before last, but, just last season, he almost took them into the Premiership and they were unlucky to be beaten in the play-off semi-finals.

"I saw a television programme about Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho recently and the question asked was: 'Is it just because he has millions to spend that the club are doing so well?'

"But all Premiership teams have had millions and most have not gone anywhere, so obviously the manager has a lot to do with it."

But the former Carlisle keeper admits he was surprised to see Burley move to Scotland in the summer.

Glennon added: "I was a bit surprised he decided to come back north because Derby are a good club, they have got a nice ground and some good players.

"But, if you are getting told you are getting so much money to spend up here and have the chance to split the Old Firm, then I think you have to have a go at it."

But Glennon insists the waves from Hearts' remarkable start to the season have rippled south of the border.

The Stockport-born keeper said: "We are eight games into a season and they have won every game and, no matter what league you are in, that's a fantastic start.

"I come from England so all I have heard of in the past was about Rangers and Celtic.

"But now you see Hearts flying, and even Kilmarnock and Hibernian are above Rangers at the moment.

"It's great and is causing quite a big stir down south. I have friends ringing me up from down in England and asking what is going on.

"They see me playing in front of nearly 60,000 fans at Celtic Park and they are wondering why they are not top of the league with the power that sort of club has.

"But Hearts are bringing a lot more respect to the Scottish game because it's not the big two running away with the league as usual."

Taken from sportinglife.com