GRAHAM RIX today spoke for the first time about the SFA's investigation of him as a "fit and proper person" to coach Hearts.

As part of an exclusive two-part interview with the Evening News, Rix mounted a staunch defence of his personal credentials and insisted he remains unperturbed by the probing of Scottish football's governors.

Astonishingly, the SFA has yet to ratify Hearts' appointment of Rix last November having launched their investigation on the grounds of his criminal conviction in 1999.

Two meetings of the association's general purposes committee at Hampden Park in the intervening period, one of which Rix attended in person, have failed to produce a decision on whether they believe the Englishman to be a befitting successor to Hearts' former manager George Burley.

Rix, though, has always been utterly convinced of his suitability for a post he has now held down for four months. And he highlights the backing of his players as fitting evidence.

"If I wasn't a fit and proper person to coach this football club then I think my players and staff would have twigged by now, and I'm sure they'd be the first to complain about me," said Rix.

"To be honest, I don't even think about the SFA's investigation because it doesn't worry me. The boys never speak about it. I've never had one player come up and say 'what about the SFA, gaffer?' The SFA have jobs to do, so let them do their jobs."

At their most recent meeting last month, the general purposes committee deferred a decision on Rix until they next convene as they ponder article 10 of the SFA's rules of association.

Article 10 states: "The board hereby reserves its discretion as to whether or not a person is fit and proper after due consideration of all relevant facts which the board has in its possession and knowledge."

In spite of their deliberation on the issue, it appears that the SFA would have few legal grounds, if any, for requesting that Hearts remove Rix from office.

Meanwhile, Defender Jamie McAllister was sent for a scan on his injured knee at 5pm last night and club medical staff were this morning awaiting the results before deciding whether the player would have to be assessed by a specialist. Robbie Neilson was forced to withdraw from the Scotland Future squad due to the dead leg he suffered in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Inverness, however Hearts retain hope that he will be available to face Rangers on Sunday.

Coach John McGlynn said today: "His dead leg was picked up on Saturday and we are hoping it isn't too serious. It was always likely to keep him out the Scotland game tomorrow night but we hope he will be okay for our game on Sunday.

"With almost an extra 24 hours to prepare for that game it gives us more encouragement that Robbie will be ready."

Hearts yesterday released 150 extra tickets for the Rangers match, but these were almost instantly snapped up through the club website by home supporters and the game is now a complete sell-out. However, the club have announced a way for supporters to guarantee their ticket for the all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup semi-final with a hospitality package launched in conjunction with PB Events.

• Fans who pay £85 plus VAT will be picked up at Tynecastle at 8am on the morning of Sunday, April 2, and taken to the Thistle hotel in Glasgow for a special champagne breakfast before being transferred to Hampden Park in time for the 12.15pm kick-off. Call 0141-429 3066 to book a package.

Taken from the Scotsman