From toils to spoils

ROBERT MARTIN
Published: 25th January 2013
JOHN McGLYNN admits he put football before family at times as he toiled to become a top boss.

He says leading Hearts out at a League Cup Final would be a fitting reward for his hard work.

The Jambos boss was still working as a plumber when tomorrow’s opponents Inverness Caley Thistle came into existence back in 1994.

Both he and the Highlanders have fought their way up the ladder ever since to now put themselves within touching distance of a trophy. In McGlynn’s case, that meant spells at Easthouses Lily and Musselburgh Athletic before Jim Jefferies asked him to take charge of the youths at Tynecastle in 1996.

That’s quite a contrast to Caley rival Terry Butcher — the former England captain.

McGlynn said: “It’s taken me a long time to get where I am today.

“It’s easy for players that have been at the top level to walk into jobs, there is nothing wrong with that.

“Unfortunately, my lack of pace was never going to let me play at the top level. But I believe the apprenticeship I served is perfect.

“When you’re in charge of Under-16s, to think you’re going to manage that particular football club, it’s a big gap. But it’s always a dream. The family thing wasn’t great. My daughter Mandy is now 27 and I would have to say that I didn’t spend enough time with her.

“My football was Saturdays, Sundays, at least two nights during the week. I’m not proud about that but she’s a big Hearts fan now and she is also involved in coaching.

“She is going to the game with her mother tomorrow — and her mother is going because it’s the only place she sees me!”

McGlynn added: “Football was always my priority. If you can’t make it as a full-time player, the next best thing is going down the coaching route.

“I’ve achieved quite a lot and I’m grateful to everyone who helped me. From a personal point of view too, it’d be great to take Hearts to a Hampden final.”