IF IT GOES WRONG FOR US TODAY I'LL SAY JOHN BOYLE PICKED THE TEAM

TERRY BUTCHER last night paid tribute to Graham Rix for having the strength of character to put up with another week of Vladimir Romanov's mood swings at Tynecastle.

The Motherwell manager faces his former England team-mate this afternoon but the only thing Butcher's certain about where Hearts are concerned is that the game's in Edinburgh.

He said: "I said earlier this season we should re-name Fir Park Alton Towers because we've had such a rollercoaster ride this season but we've got nothing on Hearts.

"Three words come to mind when I think of Graham's situation at the club - bizarre, difficult and delicate."

Butcher's bond with his fellow managers saw him last week label Rangers' chairman David Murray "weak" over his handling of Alex McLeish this season.

He also put a protective arm round Rix when he was appointed during a storm of controversy and Butcher is backing him again after Jim Duffy's appointment as director of football just two weeks after he was hired as part of Rix's coaching staff.

Butcher said: "At most clubs the manager knows where he stands but what is success for Mr Romanov? How high has the bar been set at Tynecastle ?

"A lot of people would regard being second top of the league behind Celtic as a positive factor, along with being favourites to win the Scottish Cup.

"And getting credit for that might be thought even more obvious when you're in charge of a club where the personnel changes every week and a couple of your prominent players have been out with long-term injury problems.

"Bringing in Jim was a good decision because it's always handy to have a man you can trust beside you in the trenches.

"But I know from playing with Graham for England and against him at club level that he's a fierce competitor. He'll need to rely on that characteristic to help him at Tynecastle.

"I think Graham's stamped his mark on the team at Tynecastle and the feedback he's getting from his players is healthy."

The latest example of that respect came last week when a delegation met chairman Romanov to ask for clarification on who picks the team.

Butcher added: "If it goes wrong for us at Tynecastle I think I'll say John Boyle told me who to pick.

"There's an unknown factor about the Hearts side on a weekly basis.

"That makes it harder for opposition managers to deal with, because you've got no idea who's going to turn out for them.

"But I have to say I'm looking forward to the game because there will be a huge crowd and there's always a great atmosphere inside their ground."

Motherwell have slipped down to eighth in the SPL in recent weeks - prompting a change of philosophy from the manager who speaks his mind on any topic.

Butcher said: "We beat Dundee United 2-0 last weekend and didn't play well but that will do me. I don't care if we're rubbish so long as we win.

"We're at the stage where it's more about results than performances and I'll settle for being rubbish every week so long as it lifts us up the table.

"We've got a reasonable record at Tynecastle and they'll miss Paul Hartley because of suspension. But you'd have to say Graham's got options with a squad of players that size.

"Aberdeen showed lots of bravery and self-belief to come from behind and win at Tynecastle last week. Those are the qualities we'll need for our visit there."

Taken from the Daily Record