Up for Cup and sack

By ANDY DEVLIN
Published: 13th May 2012
GARY MACKAY fears Paulo Sergio could collect the Scottish Cup with one hand — and his P45 with the other.

The Hearts legend is not convinced that even Hampden glory against Hibs will spare him from the sack.

George Burley was binned with the Jambos unbeaten and top of the league.

Sergio’s contract is up at the end of the season and earlier this week he spoke in SunSport of his fears for the future.

Mackay is worried the Tynecastle gaffer will be axed no matter the outcome next Saturday.

He said: “I’d love to see stability but does anything surprise you at Hearts? A manager who looked like he might have won the Premier League one year was removed from office due to inside influences or people losing the plot.

“Would Paulo Sergio’s record of maybe qualifying for Europe and winning the Scottish Cup be enough? I’m not convinced it would.

“I think along with Andy Webster that Ian Black has been the most influential player this season and he isn’t being kept on. So nothing surprises me, to be honest.”

Mackay is a huge Sergio fan. In a season of drastic cuts and delayed wages the former Sporting Lisbon boss has led Hearts, against all the odds, to a top-six finish and a historic all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup Final.

Mackay insisted: “Paulo’s influence can’t be underestimated. To hold a group of players together and have a relatively successful season with a Cup Final to look forward to, the man has worked absolute wonders.

“They went two or three months without wages. He’s been able to bring one player — Craig Beattie.

“Pat Fenlon also deserves huge credit to come in when he did and get Hibs to where they are. It would be a huge bonus for Hibs to win the Cup given the season they’ve had too.

“From a Hearts perspective there’s more pressure because they’re expected to win.”

Mackay the man will have everything crossed for a Hearts win.

Mackay the businessman doesn’t mind admitting a soft spot for Hibs.

Mackay, in his role as an agent, advises three of Pat Fenlon’s Cup Final squad.

The man who spent 17 years at Tynecastle, racking up over 500 appearances for Hearts last night confessed: “My heart will always be at Tynecastle.

“I have a vested interest though because of Paul Hanlon, Callum Booth and the young lad Paul Grant who will probably be on the bench for Hibs.

“I’d love for them to be part of team who breaks that run.

“But I’ve told Paul Hanlon ‘I don’t want you ending the hoodoo against Hearts!’

“It could be anyone else - but not Hearts.

“Paul would probably rip up his contract with me if I was to tell you what he said to me about the game.

“I’ll maybe tell you at 5.30pm after the game, but I couldn’t tell you what he’s said up to now.

“Paul and his family know I want Hearts to win the Cup in my heart.

“But in my head, if there was a young player who has gone through a helluva learning curve this year then I’d say there’s no better lad to score the winner than Paul Hanlon.

“But it just can’t happen.”

Mackay distinguished himself in many an Edinburgh derby. Yet in his 17 years in the capital he never played in one as big as this.

He added: “My best derby memory is the Scottish Cup fourth round at Easter Road in 1994 when Wayne Foster scored the winner.

“And this is magnified a millionfold.

“I knew how it was then and I’ve spoken to Wayne about the acclaim he got after it. That game is nothing in comparison to the match that will be played on May 19 at Hampden.

“That was Wayne's first goal that season and he was the individual who got all the acclaim.

“Hibs hammered us on the day, it was 1-1 and he got the winner and has been revered by the fans ever since.

“And there will be a hero next Saturday.

“From a Hearts point of view it would be great if it was a Hearts player.”