DOUBT CAST OVER RIX'S HEARTS FUTURE

Hearts insist Graham Rix has not left the club as speculation swept Scotland over the future of the former Chelsea coach.

But a question mark still hangs over the selection process for tonight's Bank of Scotland Premier League game at Dundee United amid claims Rix has told the squad he has not picked the team.

A Hearts spokesperson said: "Graham is away to prepare for the match against Dundee United."

Rix succeeded George Burley in November after the former Tynecastle boss left the club after "irreconcilable differences" with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov before the SPL visit of Dunfermline on October 22.
The current Southampton manager had guided the Jambos to the top of the SPL in the first few weeks of the season.

The Edinburgh club tried to tempt Burley back immediately after his exit but the ex-Scotland international stayed in England and succeeded Harry Redknapp at St Mary's before Christmas.

Rix was a controversial appointment after spending time out of the game following his departure from Oxford eight months earlier.

The former Arsenal and England striker endured a difficult start to his Tynecastle career, where a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen on his debut in the dug-out started a run of one win in five matches.

But Hearts began to find form again on Boxing Day with a 5-0 win over Falkirk before surrendering a two-goal lead in the 3-2 defeat by Celtic on New Year's Day.

Big wins over Dunfermline and Hibernian saw the Jambos back on track though.

Hearts brought in 11 new players last month, but word leaked from a source within the dressing room that Rix had admitted he was not selecting the side to play at Tannadice ahead of the game.

Rix has also guided the team into the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-finals after the 3-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

Taken from sportinglife.com