John McGlynn speaks of ‘honour’ to be considered for Hearts job

JOHN McGlynn has spoken of his “honour” at being in the frame to manage Hearts, but says he recognises that he is only one of a number of candidates currently in line to take over at Tynecastle.

The Raith Rovers manager was actually at Hearts’ training academy last night. However, rather than completing negotiations to succeed Scottish Cup-winning manager Paulo Sergio, the 50-year-old was overseeing an evening training session as Raith Rovers returned for pre-season training.

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The Kirkcaldy club have pledged not to stand in McGlynn’s way in the event of him being offered the reins at Tynecastle, although a spokesman for Hearts yesterday confirmed that a number of names were in the frame to replace Sergio, as the SPL club take a similar path to those trodden by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the hunt for a new manager.

Like the English club, Hearts plan to speak to “several candidates”, although McGlynn remains a front runner after his good work with Raith Rovers since taking over from Craig Levein in 2006. The club have granted Hearts’ request to speak to McGlynn, after a formal approach was made by the Edinburgh club on Wednesday evening. McGlynn, however, is taking nothing for granted.

“To be in the frame for a job as big as the Hearts one is an honour, and it is good of them to consider me,” said McGlynn yesterday. “They have chosen to speak to me, so it’s obvious that I am under consideration, but it’s not wise to make any assumptions.

“I have always enjoyed a good relationship with Hearts and I am delighted they think I would be a worthy candidate, but for the moment I can only wait by the phone.

“If Hearts decide to go in a different direction then I will continue my work with a great club, Raith Rovers. I’m getting on with my job at Raith Rovers, and that has to be my philosophy.

“I’ve been in this game long enough to know things can change and, until my name is on a contract which says I am Hearts manager, I will continue my work here.”

McGlynn already has ten years at Tynecastle under his belt, initially joining the coaching staff under Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown in 1996 as under-16 coach. He lifted the SFA Youth Cup in 2000, when a team including Craig Gordon defeated Rangers 5-3 in the final.

The Musselburgh-born McGlynn worked his way up to become first-team coach and assistant manager. He has also twice served as caretaker manager at Hearts, following the departures of John Robertson and George Burley. He won the PFA manager of the year award in 2011 after nearly leading Raith back into the SPL.