Hearts manager happy with his Rix assessment

PAUL KIDDIE

STANDING at the back door of Hearts' Riccarton academy sipping a mug of coffee and puffing contentedly on a cigar, new Hearts boss Graham Rix appeared relaxed with life as he looked ahead to his first match in charge of the Jambos.

Sunday's clash against Aberdeen will be a baptism of fire for the former Arsenal and England midfielder but despite his calm exterior Rix, pictured below, admitted he'd be lying if he said the trip to Pittodrie was just another game in his career.

The sight of the 48-year-old chilling out after training was all a far cry from the media frenzy which greeted his unveiling as George Burley's successor last Tuesday when the eyes of the football world appeared to be focused on Tynecastle, the constant grilling from the Press leaving him visibly shattered by the end of the afternoon.

The former Portsmouth and Oxford United chief has admitted he was taken aback by the furore which engulfed his appointment. A number of Hearts fans initially responded to the news of his arrival with scepticism, his conviction six years ago for unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl the cause of their concern.

Opinions of many, however, have since swung in favour of the new man and this week he took the unprecedented step of penning a letter of thanks to those who have expressed their backing.

"It's been a big couple of weeks what with the pressure building up over my announcement and the Press conference," he said.

"It happened so quickly last week that I had to keep pinching myself that I wasn't dreaming. I then took advantage of having a few days with my family down south before coming back to training on Tuesday.

"I've had a lot of letters and support and wanted to express my gratitude by writing that letter to the fans.

"It looks like there will a big travelling support at Pittodrie and we owe it to the supporters to put in a good performance."

Braving the Capital's chilly winter sunshine at the back of the kit room, Rix didn't give the impression he's embroiled in preparations for arguably the biggest game of his managerial career.

But this is where he thrives, out on the training ground as he strives to squeeze the best from his players.

"I was just happy to get out on the training field with the guys after it was all over last week but even that wasn't smooth as there were so many internationalists away with the countries," he said.

"This week we've been able pick things up but I'm not going to come in here and change a multitude of things.

"It's a question of keeping the players happy and doing what they have been doing as they've done okay.

"I've said it before that if it isn't broke, don't fix it but there have been one or two things I've wanted to impress upon the boys this week.

"They have responded to me magnificently. I have had great support from them and the staff and I'm buzzing at the moment.

"If the lads show the same commitment and attitude as they did against Dundee United, then we should be fine. I was really excited after seeing that game."

A rueful smile spread across his face as he again cast his mind forward to Sunday and the prospect of yet more frenzied attention both from the media and opposition fans - the Dons have sanctioned extra security for the Hearts boss.

"I'm sure there will be a few extra photographers around the dugout on Sunday," he said.

"I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous, of course I am. It's a big game for us for many different reasons. But it's a good nervousness I have and I'm really excited about the weekend.

"I'm back where I want to be, in the dug out, working with a good team."

Rix admitted he's fortunate to have inherited such a promising position, with Hearts sitting joint top of the SPL along side Celtic, who entertain Rangers tomorrow.

"It's not very often you get the chance of a job when a team is top of the league - normally it is the other way around," he said. "I've tried to approach this like any other match.

"They say it's just another game but this one isn't. This is a big, big match for Hearts.

"There will be a lot of media hype surrounding Sunday but if we win the game it won't mean we'll win the league while at the same time if we lose, it mean we've lost the league.

"It's important we keep the momentum going from the Dundee United match and as long as I see them trying to do the right things and give me 100 per cent effort, they'll have no problems from me."

The Old Firm lock horns at Parkhead 24 hours before the Jambos face Aberdeen with Rangers desperate to breathe new life into their league challenge and Alex McLeish's Ibrox career.

Rix has demanded his players take advantage of whatever the outcome is, although win for the Ibrox outfit would be a huge boost to Hearts' title aspirations.

"Celtic and Rangers play tomorrow and someone obviously has to drop points," he said.

"We have to try to take advantage of that if we can but we really shouldn't worrying about what this team or what that team is going to do. We have to concentrate on what we are doing and if play the way we can, I'm sure we'll be all right."

Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley is delighted to have a coach of such pedigree at the helm and is determined to help his new boss kick-off his Tynecastle reign with victory in the Granite City.

He said: "People like Mark Burchhill and Jim Duffy have all given glowing reports about the gaffer, which shows just how highly respected he is as a coach.

"He has a reputation as an attack-minded coach.

"He likes to play good football which is what Hearts fans are looking for.

"Aberdeen is his first game for Hearts and we want to make sure it is a winning debut." He added: "He is a British coach with a good reputation within football which is good for the players and the club. George Burley took Hearts forward and I am convinced the new gaffer can do the same.

"Just getting a coach into the club was important.

"Although it was good working with John McGlynn we needed a permanent coach to give us stability.

"So many people within football speak very highly of him and we're all looking forward to working with him."

Taken from the Scotsman