Passions run high as Rix divides the Hearts family

ANGUS WRIGHT

HEARTS fans have called for a meeting with chairman Roman Romanov to express their concerns at the appointment of Graham Rix as the club's new first team coach, despite former chairman Wallace Mercer branding the critics "hypocrites" yesterday.

The majority of the Tynecastle faithful have been shocked by the former Oxford United manager's arrival with some turning up at the ground on Tuesday to protest at Rix's unveiling.

They are angry at not getting a high-calibre manager to replace George Burley, with 48-year-old Rix sacked by Oxford only six months ago and also interviewed last week for the vacant post at Crawley Town, a team currently second bottom of the English Conference.

Supporters are also concerned at the unwanted media attention the club is attracting because of Rix's 1999 conviction for unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl.

The four Hearts supporters group met Roman Romanov last Tuesday in the wake of the sacking of chief executive Phil Anderton and the removal of chairman George Foulkes and were reassured the club was in safe hands. But after Rix's shock arrival, Martin Laidlaw, chairman of Hearts Supporters Trust, has approached the new chairman for another meeting to air their views over the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder's appointment.

Laidlaw said: "The initial opposition in the lead up to Graham Rix's appointment was expressed in a number of ways due to what fans were saying to us. We have nothing else to say about Graham's personal history, that has been trawled and microscoped through all levels of the media.

"The reason for the real sense of disappointment is that a carrot was dangled in front of the supporters after George Burley's exit that we would replace him with someone even better, someone with a proven record, a European pedigree, who we would be amazed at.

"We've heard some good things from people talking up Graham, but with all respect to him, he is not in that context. It would now be good to speak to Roman Romanov to have a discussion to ask about his business thinking for the appointment made. There needs to be full discussion with Roman over the decision making process at the club.

"We've passed information on verbally through official channels and now hope to hear back. Too many people are still unconvinced at what is happening at the club."

Mercer, however, has urged Tynecastle supporters to back Rix in his bid to maintain their SPL title challenge. Mercer said: "Graham Rix should be judged solely on his coaching abilities. He made an error of judgment and paid his debt back in the 1990s.

"The reaction in Scotland to his appointment is completely unjustified and certain Hearts fans are guilty of hypocrisy and double standards. Show me anyone who has not made a mistake in life."

Mercer is also confident that Rix's six-month stretch in prison can have a "positive" effect on his role at Tynecastle. "I fully expect the Hearts players to dismiss all the criticism they have heard over the last few days," said Mercer.

"Rix was given another chance in England and we should do the same in Scotland. Sometimes people's failures can bring positive results in terms of a learning curve.

"Chelsea gave him his job back and he went on to be a very successful coach. He has been appointed as number two at Hearts and has shown he can work well with that role in the past. That is how he should be judged, as a coach and nothing else. I am sure he will work very well with John McGlynn and I am confident they will take the club forward."

Bookmakers are not so confident. William Hill rate Rix an even money chance to be sacked before the end of this season. The former Arsenal ace is 8-11 to make it to June.

Totesport thinks Rix is just 6-4 to leave between January and the end of the season and 5-2 before the end of this year.

Rix won just six out of 29 matches during his brief spell as manager of Oxford United and won 16 and lost 23 while in charge at Portsmouth.

Meanwhile, Hearts are still working on bringing a director of football to Tynecastle, who will work above Rix. Roman Romanov has said he will consult with Rix before an appointment is made, with a decision expected within two weeks.

Taken from the Scotsman