McGlynn set for Rotherham reunion with old team-mate Evans

Published on Saturday 28 July 2012 03:23

Hearts manager John McGlynn is looking forward to a reunion with old friend Steve Evans as the Tynecastle side conclude their pre-season schedule with a trip to Rotherham United today.

The pair played together as youngsters at Bolton, before McGlynn returned north of the border to Berwick, while injury forced Evans to retire at just 24. Their paths have not crossed in over 30 years, but now the Hearts manager is looking forward to a stern challenge against his former team-mate and compatriot at the New York Stadium.

McGlynn said: “I was actually at Bolton with Stevie Evans, many, many years ago. I’ve not seen him since, so it will certainly be nice to meet up with him.

“Steve has spent a lot of his career down in England but I am sure he will be well aware of Hearts, what we stand for and what we are capable of doing.

“Rotherham are very much a club on the up. The have beaten Doncaster and Barnsley in recent games and they have a terrific new stadium. They will make life very difficult for us and I think it will be a really good test.”

McGlynn believes the trip to Rotherham will be the perfect test ahead of next Saturday’s SPL opener at home to St Jonstone. He told HeartsTV: “They have got a real threat in their side, but that is what you want at this stage of the season. As a manager I am looking for more of a test, and for our defenders to get challenged. It is a good opportunity to test ourselves against different opposition ahead of St Johnstone.”

Hearts striker Gordon Smith is set to feature today after recovering from a bout of tonsillitis. Darren Barr has also returned to full fitness having been laid low with a virus, with McGlynn confirming Jamie Hamill is the club’s only absentee.

Taken from the Scotsman