Gretna bosses thank Hearts fans

Fans gave Gretna an ovation after Hearts won the Scottish Cup final.

And Gretna owner Brooks Mileson and boss Rowan Alexander say in the Edinburgh Evening News that Hearts are "proper fans and proper people".

Mileson was delighted that Alexander and assistant David Irons had signed new contracts as they were wanted men.

"Of course I have had calls from clubs wanting to take them away," said the millionaire businessman.

"But they got no encouragement from me.

Gretna have won two league titles in a row and will be playing in Division One for the first time next season.

They will also enter the Uefa Cup, having qualified as Scottish Cup runners-up.

And Mileson this week persuaded his management duo to sign rolling five-year contracts.

"I was worried for a bit," he admitted. "That's called loyalty, but I must admit the hardest part of it was getting them to negotiate.

"That was a nightmare because they wanted to take their time, but I wanted it done and fortunately they accepted it.

"They are vital to our success and what we are trying to do and, like any business, you have to protect your main assets.

"I have heard all sorts of rubbish about Rowan being a success because he has Brooks Mileson's cheque-book.

"But that is nonsense because we have only spent £20,000 on Steve Tosh and the rest have all been cheap signings.

"Rowan has got us here because of his ability and he is simply one of the best managers around.

"He proved against Hearts on Saturday that he is a top manager and is improving each season.

"With all due respect to Hearts, he out-thought their manager and was better with his tactics and substitutions and he has raised his profile."

Mileson is now working hard behind the scenes to bring new players to the club ahead of next season's fresh challenges.

"We are going in the right direction and I can't wait for next season to arrive," he said.

"There is a lot of hard work to be done this summer in terms of bringing people in, but I am ready for it."

Taken from the BBC