Lockey escape

By ROBERT MARTIN
Published: 7 hrs ago

MEHDI TAOUIL has revealed how Gary Locke used to drive him daft by talking non-stop about Hearts — when the pair were both playing for KILMARNOCK.

That’s why he’s sure there is no better man to steer the Jambos out of their current crisis if he’s handed the boss’ job permanently.

Taouil and Locke were Killie team-mates together under Jim Jefferies. Each day they’d jump in the car with Colin Nish, Grant Murray and David Fernandez and travel to training from Edinburgh.

But Taouil admits there was only ever one topic of conversation when Locke was a passenger.

And he revealed when it was his turn to take the wheel he’d turn up his stereo to drown out his mate’s Jambos chat!

He said: “The only thing Lockey ever talks about is Hearts — and only Hearts!

“If you want to have a conversation with him then you have to speak about the club first — then you can talk.

“Lockey, David, Colin, Grant and I all stayed in Edinburgh. So we would share a car to training each day.

“And every day the conversation would be about the same thing.

“If Kilmarnock had a game on the Saturday and Hearts played on the Sunday, he would go to the Hearts game — and that’s all he would speak about on Monday.

“I’d tell him all the time to shut up. We used to argue about that.

“And when it was my turn to drive I used to put my music up loud. I like hip hop and rap.

“But he wasn’t having it — he’s not a fan of my music!

“Now we just have a laugh about it.

“But since I’ve been here I’ve never met someone who loves Hearts as much as he does.”

Taouil admits his relationship with Locke has understandably changed given the latter’s role.

And having seen him start his coaching career at Killie — and then take it on at Tynecastle — the 29-year-old playmaker believes Locke is more than ready to take the next step.

He said: “Being first-team coach here at Hearts isn’t the same as being the manager.

“When he was first-team coach, Lockey would come into the dressing room and have a laugh.

“But since John McGlynn left, he has been a bit more reserved and he doesn’t do that any more.

“That’s understandable and all of the boys realise that.

“You can’t have the same laugh with the manager as you can with your first-team coach.

“But I would be happy for Gary if he got the job, definitely. I know how much he loves the club.

“He has all the qualifications as well to be a manager.

“I see some managers in countries like Portugal and elsewhere who are really young. So I don’t see why the managers here in Scotland cannot be young too.

“He knows football and Scotland very well.

“The board takes that decision, it’s not for me to take.

“But I would be very happy if Lockey got this job.”

Locke will take charge of Hearts for the third time when they face Hibs at Easter Road tomorrow. The interim boss got his first win when the Jambos beat St Johnstone at Tynecastle on Tuesday.

And Taouil admits the players would love to improve his chances of landing the job even further with a dazzling derby display.

Hibs are unbeaten in three capital clashes this season and knocked their Gorgie rivals out of the Scottish Cup in December.

It was the first time Locke had EVER lost a derby match as a player or coach.

And the little Moroccan confirmed it was not a defeat he took particularly well.

Taouil said: “He was not in a good mood, not at all. We want to avoid that again.

“All the boys really appreciate him and will give 200 per cent for him. He really helps to get us motivated for these games because he’s a Hearts fan.

“The derbies have meant a lot to him since he was a wee kid, so having him on the staff just fires the boys up.

“If we could win everyone would be very happy for him, just as we were after Tuesday’s win against St Johnstone.

“We don’t know how long he will be in charge for at this moment, so everyone wanted to give everything for Lockey.”

Taouil admits the fact Hearts haven’t beaten Hibs so far this season is a sore point for all the Jambos players.

But he refuses to accept the suggestion that Pat Fenlon’s side are now Edinburgh’s top team. He added: “Hibs fans will think that — but let them.

“We will see on Sunday after the game.

“It is painful not to have won one of the derby matches this season because these games are very important.

“The feeling when you win is fantastic — and we’ve not experienced that this season.

“So we really hope to do it on Sunday.

“We know it will be hard as Hibs have had quite good results this season.

“But we are going to do everything we can to win this game.”