Managerial issues centre of attention on Fir Park return

Motherwell and Heart of Midlothian will attempt to reach the fifth round at Fir Park tonight, amid much uncertainty and speculation engulfing both clubs. The main questions are, will Mark McGhee go, and will Stevie Frail stay?

McGhee, the Motherwell manager, is still believed to be high on the SFA’s wanted list for the Scotland job, the decision for which could be announced this week. McGhee, however, has remained coy about his position in the build-up to tonight’s fourth-round replay.

Frail, who is making diligence his watchword as the interim Hearts manager, including undertaking the long trip to Inverness to observe Caledonian Thistle’s game against Rangers on Sunday afternoon, is still unsure about his medium-term future at Tynecastle. Hearts are said to be still searching for a new manager, although their 1-0 win over Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby on Saturday could only have enhanced Frail’s credentials.

Tonight’s replay at Fir Park comes after the two clubs engaged in a thrilling and emotional 2-2 draw at Tynecastle ten days ago. The winners have a home tie against Dundee in the fifth round.

Motherwell fought back from 2-0 down at Tynecastle, thanks to a double from Chris Porter. The Lanarkshire club, though, are still emerging from the tragedy of Phil O’Donnell’s sudden death on December 30, and tonight’s match will be their first at Fir Park since that fateful event.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk