Mackay gets behind Valdas for coach's post at Hearts

FORMER Hearts star Gary Mackay believes Vladimir Romanov should call off his search for a new head coach - because he already has the ideal candidate at Tynecastle.

Mackay, who spent 17 years with the Gorgie side, is convinced that Valdas Ivanauskas has the perfect credentials to lead Hearts into the Champions League if he is given the chance.

Having watched Hearts claim the Scottish Cup and beat Rangers to second place in the SPL he insists that Ivanauskas and his assistant John McGlynn should be given time to prove themselves.

He said: "I think they already have a good head coach at the club. Valdas Ivanauskas has proved himself more than capable and he should be given a chance to prove himself. I think him and John McGlynn have a respect from the players and that is of paramount importance. I'm still not convinced that we need to bring in a director of football. I know that it is the European way of doing things but there wasn't one in place when Ivanauskas and McGlynn were leading the team to second place in the league and winning the Scottish Cup.

"To me, there already seems to be a big enough staff and administration at Tynecastle to do a job and they don't need to bring anyone else in."

While Mackay is backing Ivanauskas to make his own mark at Tynecastle he still maintains, however, that Romanov made the wrong decision in parting company with George Burley after just ten league games.

Hearts were in pole position in the SPL when Burley was removed and Mackay is convinced they could have gone on to win the title if he had remained at the club, adding: "There were some strange decisions made at some strange times but the only one I would question now is the sacking of George Burley.

"I personally feel it could have been handled better, and I think that, if George had remained as manager, then Hearts could have won the league. We will always wonder what might have been.

"There's no doubt it was a brilliant season and this time a year ago we would have bitten your hand off to see Hearts get success on two fronts but there will always be a huge question mark - especially for the players."

Taken from the Scotsman