MCGLYNN BACKS STARS TO NAB DOUBLE GLORY

TYNECASTLE IN TURMOIL... AGAIN
By Greig Thomas

JOHN McGLYNN insists Hearts' Scottish Cup and Champions League hopes won't suffer following the sacking of Graham Rix.

The club coach, who will now work under newly-appointed interim boss Valdas Ivanauskas, reckons the Tynecastle squad are too experienced to be affected by the former manager's departure.

McGlynn has been a constant in the backroom team despite wholesale personnel changes at the club. The ex-youth coach has seen Craig Levein, John Robertson, George Burley and Rix all walk through the training academy's revolving door in 18 months.

The timing of Rix's sacking has taken everyone by surprise, especially as Hearts face rivals Hibs next weekend in their Scottish Cup semi-final.

But McGlynn believes the players have already proved they have the mental strength to overcome the latest controversy in their quest for European football and domestic honours.

He said: "The players have come into training and are getting their heads down and being professional.

"They have been over the course before, it's not the first time for them. It is not easy but having been there and done it before they know what it is like.

"We have to be professional and try to keep everyone focused. All the evidence suggests the players won't let this affect them with regards to our push for second place in the league and the Scottish Cup and I am sure they will respond again.

"At this stage we are not even thinking about the Cup, however.

"The league means so much to us and we have got Falkirk to play on Saturday.

"It is very important we don't slip up in the league."

McGlynn is ready to support caretaker manager Ivanauskas in the same manner he assisted Rix and he believes the former Lithuanian internationalist can steady the ship between now and the end of the season.

With eight games remaining, Hearts are in pole position to finish second behind Celtic as they currently hold a six-point advantage over Rangers.

McGlynn added: "Valdas has been here most of the season. He left shortly after the closure of the transfer window in August but had a bigger part to play under Graham.

"He is very experienced and was a top player in his day. I'm sure he will want to implement his ideas as well. I think a lot will go down to the players in regards to getting the right message across.

"We want to achieve something this season at Hearts. We want to finish second and win the Cup. Hopefully we can do that."

Taken from the Daily Record