Gary Locke ‘deserves chance to prove himself as Hearts boss’

FORMER Tynecastle striker Kevin Kyle believes Gary Locke should be given the chance to prove himself as Hearts manager.

John McGlynn is favourite to land the post, following the departure of Paulo Sergio just three weeks after steering his side to Scottish Cup glory.

However, Kyle reckons that Locke, already on the Jambos’ coaching staff, has done enough to deserve a shot at leading the team himself and said: “I would have liked to have seen Gary get a chance. He has been there since Jim Jefferies arrived and he’s Hearts though and through and has been for years.

“Over the time I was with him at Kilmarnock and then Hearts, he was doing all his coaching badges and I think he is nearly finished his Pro-Licence now. He has a great reputation with the guys at Hearts and he knows the club inside out.”

Meanwhile, Kyle admitted he is disappointed not to have heard from Hearts although he acknowledged that their managerial situation may have contributed to that, adding: “My situation with Hearts was that if Paulo Sergio was staying, he wanted me to come back and do pre-season. I haven’t heard anything from Hearts, which is pretty disappointing but, at the same time, they don’t have a manager so they don’t know what’s happening.”