Mackay: I had to snub Vlad after he sacked Burls

JAMBO legend believes Vladamir Romanov's decision to sack George Burley deprived Hearts of potential glory in season 05/06.

NO ONE knows more about missed opportunities in Hearts’ history than Gary Mackay. Which is why he snubbed the man he feels had the chance in his grasp to make up for the pain of 1986 – yet blew it.

Mackay believes club owner Vladimir Romanov’s decision to sack George Burley deprived the club of their ultimate moment.

Burley walked despite steering the Jambos to 10 games unbeaten – including eight wins – at the start of 2005-06.

Just when the Jambos felt they were on course to erasing memories of losing the Premier League title on that last day in 1986.

Mackay was in the side that lost out to the Hoops on championship day. He has 640 club appearances – more than any other player in the Jambos’ 138-year history – and every ounce of his commitment shines through in his Dream Team selections.

But he could find no role for Russian-born owner Romanov, despite him leading Hearts to two historic Scottish Cup triumphs in six years.

Instead Gary selected Wallace Mercer as his dream figurehead.

Mackay said: “There’s been loads of positives (under Romanov) – but there could have been more. When you’ve been so close to winning the league yourself, that gut-wrenching feeling never leaves you.

“So I can know how Craig Gordon, Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley must feel when they look back at what they potentially had taken from them in 2005. To see that opportunity tossed away, and to find out there were people willing to blacken Burley’s name to relieve of him of his duties – and to know these people are still there?”

Mackay is enjoying just being a punter again after his official involvement with the Jambos was ended by Romanov.

He sighed: “I was in Kaunas at Vladimir’s 60th birthday. I still wonder if he didn’t like the kilt we gave him – or the book he received. Or was it that I said Kaunas’ Ricardas Beniusis wouldn’t be good enough for Hearts?

“I don’t know but my direct involvement with Hearts stopped. I don’t want to feed a situation, though – I just want the club to be a success.”

Gary Mackay's Hearts Drean Team book Gary Mackay's Hearts Drean Team book

Mackay agonised over his picks for his Dream Team. He said: “It was a joy to do the book and I'm so proud that Dave Mackay has done its foreword.

“My family was all Hibs – it was my nana and granda, Lily and Jimmy, who gave me my love of Hearts. I was at the 1967 Cup final with them as a three-year-old.”

Mackay tried his best not to let sentiment cloud his selections. He said: “I couldn’t ignore Rudi Skacel. The man is a double cup winner for the club.

“It was between him, Paul Hartley and Colin Cameron for the last midfield place – but everyone will have their own favourites.

“There were so many guys I wanted to give credit. Alex MacDonald as a manager, then there’s Sandy Clark ... the list is endless and I hope the debates are as well.”

Taken from the Daily Record