Frail hopes to put TV clash ahead of coaching badge

Gary Ralston

STEVE FRAIL has gone back to school but hopes to dodge homework for a night in front of the telly.

The Hearts boss has been given the clearest indication yet his long-term future lies at Tynecastle after Vladimir Romanov forked out £4000 to send him for his UEFA Pro Licence.

Frail doesn't expect to be named manager in the summer, although he would welcome the chance, but is set to stay in a key coaching position.

The Pro Licence course lasts two years and is a must-have qualification for anyone who wants to coach at the highest level.

Frail took part in a Hampden induction yesterday, ahead of his side's make-or-break trip to Kilmarnock this afternoon as they bid for a place in the top six.

A win would take Hearts into the top half of the table.

Whether they stay there depends on the outcome of Monday night's live Setanta clash in which Aberdeen and Falkirk meet at Pittodrie.

Frail will only tune in to that game if Hearts win today. Otherwise he'll be presented with the ideal opportunity to put his nose is in his new text books.

He said: "The club have decided to pay to put me through my Pro Licence and I'm really grateful because it's such a big expense.

"Football changes so quickly so who's to say I'll still be here in two years but I love being at this club and I've enjoyed picking the team and playing a part in taking us from where we've come from to the position we're in now.

"The Pro Licence will add to my CV and if it means I stay here longer I'd be delighted because I love this job. I was never the most studious at school and it will be difficult to find time for this.

"I guess it would be easier if I wasn't committed to working with the team. However, it's not as if I'll be working on the licence every single day.

"For now, the focus is on the game at Kilmarnock. The race to finish in the top six has added a bit of excitement for teams in the middle at this stage of the season.

"I read criticism of us and Aberdeen recently and that we should be embarrassed to be fighting for a place in the top six but that's the way the season has gone and Falkirk have done really well. I didn't realise until after our game last weekend that they and Aberdeen weren't playing until Monday and it crossed my mind for a second those teams might have been given an advantage.

"But all that will be irrelevant unless we win at Kilmarnock so that's where our concentration must lie. If we win, I've even thought about going up there but if we lose I won't be watching even on the telly at all because it will be of no interest to me."

Hearts have lost just two of their last 11 SPL games under Frail, keeping seven clean sheets. They have won more points in the last quarter of the campaign than in the previous two put together.

If Hearts win at Rugby Park Aberdeen can still go level on points if they beat the Bairns, who haven't secured a victory at Pittodrie in over half a century.

But the Dons would need to score at least seven goals. Frail added: "Whoever finishes in the top six deserves to be there. If we win at Kilmarnock I don't think Aberdeen will switch off against Falkirk as Jimmy Calderwood wouldn't allow it.

"Our self-belief hasn't wavered at all in recent weeks and I don't see why it should.

"The credit must go to the players for our recent results and we hope it continues against Kilmarnock."

'Telly game won't be of any interest to me if we lose'

Taken from the Daily Record