RIX EYES LONG-TERM HEARTS STAY

Hearts head coach Graham Rix is determined to claim an extended stay at Tynecastle.

The former Portsmouth and Oxford manager was appointed to succeed George Burley in November on a contract until the end of the current Bank of Scotland Premier League season.

But the ex-Arsenal and England midfielder can write his name into the club's history books if he can guide the team to Tennent's Scottish Cup glory in May.

But, after the appointment of friend Jim Duffy as director of football, the Hearts boss has vowed to claim a longer-term deal at the end of the campaign.

Rix, 48, told the Edinburgh Evening News: "Every manager and every coach is under pressure to win matches.

"If we can manage to do that between now and the end of the season, then, hopefully, my stay here will be extended because I'm enjoying my work here.

"I want to stay here, there's no doubt about that. It's a great club and a great job.

"A few months ago, if somebody had said to me you can have the Hearts job and Jim Duffy as your director of football, I would have snapped their hand off straight away."

Rix is also hoping the success of the team will also have a direct impact on Duffy.

He added: "Everyone knows what I think of Jim Duffy. He's a top guy and I think he is a great addition to the club.

"He's helped me no end already and is proving to be invaluable.

"There is a lot that goes into running a football club and he's helping to take a little bit of that pressure off my shoulders.

"Hopefully, like me, he'll be here beyond the end of the season as I have a very good working relationship with him".

Taken from sportinglife.com