Alex Salmond's Hearts 'anguish'

Neil Irvine

Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, has echoed the opinions of many Hearts fans in expressing his views on the vacant manager's post at Tynecastle.
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"I don't care whether he's high profile, low profile or mid-profile for that matter, as long as whoever is appointed is given the freedom, resources and support to get on with the job," Salmond said.

Alex Salmond's Hearts 'anguish'
Hearts fan: Alex Salmond is disappointed by Hearts' discipline

A Hearts season ticket holder for some 10 years, Salmond's first thoughts today are with his hometown team, Linlithgow Rose, who encapsulate the romance of the Cup when they travel to First Division Queen of The South.

However, the SNP leader is extremely concerned with events at Hearts, the club supported by him and his father.

"Like most fans, I'm in a state of anguish. There is no leadership or real team spirit and this has manifested itself in the recent indiscipline. In my first term as First Minister the only disappointment has been Hearts."

Despite this tongue-in-cheek last remark, there is no disputing Hearts' lack of leadership. "They have good players but not a good team," observed Salmond, and the lamentable league performances which have reaped only one win in their last 13 matches would seem to bear out that comment.
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This week's events across the capital only served to highlight the plight of Hearts and, having witnessed Hibernian fill their own management vacancy, the maroon half of Edinburgh will be all the more eager to see their own recruitment problem solved.

In today's fourth round tie, Hearts welcome fellow SPL side Motherwell, who play for the first time since captain Phil O'Donnell's tragic death at the end of last month. The Fir Park club said yesterday that they would be renaming the main stand the Phil O'Donnell Stand from the start of next season. Their players will also wear a special shirt for the rest of this term with O'Donnell's autograph embroidered on the front.

As for today's tie, Motherwell have the psychological advantage after last month's 2-1 league win at Tynecastle, but this is no ordinary day out and much will depend on how the players cope with the emotion of the occasion.

Perched proudly behind Rangers and Celtic in the league, Motherwell are at least on a rich vein of form under manager Mark McGhee, one of four short-listed for the position of Scotland head coach.

On that subject, McGhee revealed that he has no intentions of walking out on Motherwell. "Only if I had everyone's blessing and knew there would be no resentment would I consider the post if it was offered to me," said McGhee.

Paul Quinn, the 22-year old full-back, has been appointed new club captain.

"Paul has the strength of character required, and the added responsibility will further his personal and professional development," McGhee said.

As a token of their respect, Hearts are to produce an O'Donnell commemorative programme. For their part, the Motherwell players - as an acknowledgement of the service O'Donnell gave Celtic as well their own team - will go into a pre-match huddle in front of what is expected to be a large travelling contingent.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk