Fans chief concerned by 'panic' measures

DEREK Watson, chairman of the Hearts Supporters Trust, says that the "short-term panic" which prompted the sacking of head coach Graham Rix yesterday is a major concern.

Watson, however, believes his fellow Hearts fans will come to accept the decision and that Rix's axing could prove the correct course of action in the long run.

"There is definitely some short-term panic going on which is very concerning," he said. "It's the timing more than anything else.

"There has been some criticism for the way the team has been playing but at the end of the day Graham Rix was on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

"I don't think the board will be worried and I don't think they will admit to a mistake. They have their long-term plan and they will just keep going with that regardless.

"I don't think the fans will welcome this but the majority will accept it because Mr Romanov runs the club and owns 81 per cent of the shares. Without him we wouldn't be anywhere and despite being up and down today and tomorrow, in general the fans will accept that Mr Romanov rules with an iron fist."

Watson continued: "I'm surprised the club haven't kept continuity until the end of the season, but sacking Graham could prove the right decision in the long run. The proof is in the pudding. If the team stays six points ahead of Rangers to finish second and make the Champions League, and also wins the Scottish Cup, people will look back with no regrets over what has happened.

"Valdas [Ivanauskas] and John [McGlynn] are now in charge and hopefully they can keep the continuity going and make sure the players remain professional through all this.

"Certainly this squad of players are good enough but we were promised a high-profile manager and we can still attract a top manager soon, or certainly in the summer."

Henry Smith, the former Hearts goalkeeper, believes Steven Pressley can steer the club out of troubled waters.

Smith said: "Club captain Steven Pressley has got to get the players focused on the battles ahead. John McGlynn will be acting as back-up and he knows the players inside out and the way they play.

"I think there is a big emphasis on John and, if he can get to pick a team, then who knows?

"I'm not surprised at the sacking [of Rix], but the timing is bizarre as the club is in pole position for the Champions League spot and have a cup semi-final in a couple of weeks."

Smith believes the Hearts playing staff will be sad to see Rix go.

"The results were not going for us but, in saying that, the players loved him and they loved his coaching methods."

Taken from the Scotsman