John McGlynn reveals Hearts’ high tempo game plan

Published on Monday 6 August 2012 11:14

JOHN McGLYNN today revealed that Hearts’ ploy this season is to start games at a high tempo in order to 
overwhelm opponents, and 
the manager thanked his 
players for executing the plan successfully in Saturday’s 
opening SPL win over St 
Johnstone.

John Sutton’s first-half penalty allied to David 
Templeton’s late goal secured a 2-0 success which McGlynn 
admitted helped calm his nerves on his competitive debut. Hearts dominated the opening stages of the game and were rewarded when Templeton won the penalty on the half-hour mark.

McGlynn explained how he has asked for a pace and power approach from his team in all matches, believing that a quick start can often be crucial to the final outcome of SPL games.

“We’ve been trying to 
encourage that and I think we probably should have taken the lead earlier than we did on Saturday. From that point of view, the ploy worked,” he told the Evening News. “We’re certainly looking to try and set the tone in games and get out of the blocks quickly.

“I have to give the players a lot of credit on Saturday because they did that and put St Johnstone on the back foot. That got our fans up for it and excited. We want to continue playing that way throughout the

season.”

Although he felt a certain nervousness prior to kick-off, McGlynn said the team’s impressive performance soon helped him relax. “I think there is a nervousness. Not a fear, but a nervousness,” he continued. “I think that’s natural. I’ve worked exceptionally hard to get into this situation so there was an element of doubt because St Johnstone had played two competitive games and we hadn’t.

“I think most people in my situation on Saturday would’ve felt that way. Once that whistle goes and the action starts, you’re into it in full swing and the lads calmed my nerves very well – until the second half when we relaxed a bit.”

Taken from the Scotsman