MY OLD GAFFER RIX CAN BE THE MARTIN O'NEILL OF TYNECASTLE

MARK BURCHILL has told Hearts fans that Vladimir Romanov has just brought them a manager as good as Martin O'Neill.

The former Jambos striker expects the name of Graham Rix to be ringing out among the Gorgie faithful in the weeks ahead.

It won't be a chorus of criticism regarding his past but songs of praise to endorse the bright future he can deliver for his new club.

Hearts made arguably the most controversial coaching appointment in the history of Scottish football when Rix was paraded at Tynecastle.

Jambos fans were upset that Romanov had not delivered the big name promised after axing George Burley. They are also concerned about Rix's conviction for a sex offence.

Burchill, 25, was signed by Rix for Portsmouth in a £900,000 deal from Celtic four years ago.

The striker is still in regular contact with a boss he quickly came to call a friend and knows he has the mental strength to cope with the flak that will come his way.

He's also confident Rix will keep a winning team on the pitch.

Burchill said: "I've told my mates at Hearts they have landed on their feet with the appointment of Graham as their new head coach.

"They could not have signed a better man to continue George Burley's good work.

"Romanov has definitely produced the goods and in the weeks and months ahead the fans at Tynecastle will be hailing the appointment of Rix as well as the Lithuanian for bringing him in.

"I've been fortunate in my career to work with some good coaches, including Martin O'Neill, and Graham is right up there with him.

"They have different styles - Martin is much more frantic and in your face on the sidelines whereas Graham is much more relaxed, a talker rather than a shouter.

"Martin was never really one for spending hours on the training pitch and relies a lot on his motivational skills.

"But the training ground is where Graham really comes into his own, coaching and letting every player know exactly what he wants and expects from them.

"But they command equal respect and loyalty from their players and Hearts fans, as well as the first-team squad, will soon come to recognise Graham's great qualities."

Burchill spent 12 months at Pompey and came to appreciate the influence of Rix on and off the pitch as the progress of his fledgling career was cruelly halted by a cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for 18 months.

He added: "It was a difficult time for me as I was a young man, a long way from home and going through an emotionally difficult time.

"Graham helped me through it all and I'll never forget the kindness he and his wife showed me and my girlfriend by inviting us to their home for dinner with their kids.

"Those were generous gestures but Graham is a guy you can easily approach for advice and his positive outlook helped keep me going during a difficult time in my early career.

"Ask any player who worked under him at Portsmouth, even those he had to move on from the club, and they'll tell you he's one of the best guys around.

"Everyone enjoyed his training sessions at Portsmouth, particularly because he had the great knack of keeping everyone happy and involved.

"Even guys 20th in line and with no chance of playing first-team football loved going to training every morning and that isn't always the case.

"We had a decent side going at that time and but for injuries to several key men it might really have taken off for him there.

"However, I've no doubts the players at Hearts will soon be saying the same things we used to at Portsmouth. They'll be telling everyone what a good decision it was to bring Graham to the club.

"He'll win the fans over too with the way he wants to play football, which is always positive.

"I know his appointment has come as a shock because they were expecting a bigger name but once the dust settles in the next few weeks and they get to know him better they'll see his worth.

"They'll soon be shouting his name at Tynecastle in appreciation of the job he does."

Unfortunately, Rix comes with baggage for his conviction six years ago for having sex with an under-age girl.

He admits he will face stick from opposition fans but Burchill is backing him to cope with the additional pressure.

He added: "Graham has been through tougher things in life than fans shouting at him from the stands and, without a shadow of a doubt, he's strong enough to cope with it all.

"He's strong-minded, a strong-willed guy and all this will make him a better man and an even better manager and that will hopefully help Hearts in the long run.

"Let's face it, five or six years ago when he was at Chelsea he would not have even looked at the job at Tynecastle.

"Circumstances and everything he has gone through in recent years obviously changed that.

"But I think it will prove a shrewd decision and hats off to Romanov for making it happen.

"Graham will bring stability and togetherness to the playing staff and that will stand them in good stead for the future."

Taken from the Daily Record