John McGlynn excited at prospect of Hearts job

JOHN McGLYNN is excited about the prospect of becoming Hearts’ new manager as he prepared to meet leading Tynecastle officials today to be formally interviewed for the job.

Raith Rovers gave Hearts permission to speak to McGlynn late on Tuesday night, and a meeting was arranged for today. He is one of several candidates on a shortlist to replace the departed Paulo Sergio, with others also being interviewed before any final decision is made.

The 50-year-old is keen to further his career and swap the First Division for the SPL by returning to the club where he spent ten years as both youth and first-team coach. Raith will not stand in McGlynn’s way, nor would they be difficult to deal with regarding compensation for their manager, who just last month signed a new one-year contract.

“I spoke to John and he is obviously excited. He will happily speak to Hearts,” said Turnbull Hutton, a board member at Stark’s Park. “But, at the same time, he’s still signing players for us and arranging pre- season training and everything else. It’s business as usual as far as John’s concerned.

“If anything was to happen with Hearts, I’d be delighted for John McGlynn. He’s done a great job for us but the ball is in Hearts’ court. We’ve had an approach from them to speak to John. There was a phone call from them on Tuesday night. He is under contract to Raith for another year.

“We wouldn’t reject any approach like that. Compared to Hearts, we’re a small club. Hearts is a great club and a big club. For somebody like John, it would be a phenomenal job were it to happen.”

Hutton praised Hearts for their professionalism over dealings with McGlynn and highlighted the support Raith have enjoyed from the Edinburgh club for many years.

“Everything has been done as you would expect from a club like Hearts. It’s all been done properly,” he continued. “Hearts have been extremely good to Raith Rovers over the years in terms of loaning players and giving us the use of their training facilities at times.

“We’re delighted with the relationship we’ve had with Hearts. Were anything to happen with John, it would be a culmination of that. All we’ve done is say, ‘if you want to speak to John, you’re more than welcome’.”

McGlynn initially joined Hearts in 1996 as a part-time youth coach. He was appointed permanently in 1998 and progressed to reserve-team coach and eventually first-team coach. He had two spells as caretaker manager in 2005 following the departures of John Robertson and George Burley from Tynecastle.

In November 2006, McGlynn was appointed manager of Raith Rovers and won the Second Division title in 2009. The following year, he guided the Kirkcaldy club to the Scottish Cup semi-finals before losing to Dundee United. He was named PFA Scotland Manager of the Year for season 2010/11.

A statement released by Raith Rovers last night said: “Raith Rovers FC announces that Heart of Midlothian FC have formally sought permission to speak to John McGlynn regarding the vacant manager’s position at Tynecastle.

“The Board of Directors has an excellent relationship with John and has no wish to stand in the way of his career progression should an opportunity arise for him. Accordingly we have acceded to Hearts’ request.”