Ian Cathro: Possibilities are limitless at Hearts
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The 30-year-old is Gorgie owner Ann Budge’s bold choice to replace former head coach Robbie Neilson after his departure to MK Dons.
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Hide AdDespite having had no notable playing career, he has built up an impressive CV. After started his coaching journey with Dundee United’s youth academy, he has gone on to have stints with Spanish big guns Valencia and most recently English championship leaders Newcastle.
He will now be assisted by Northern Ireland coach Austin McPhee - who turned down the opportunity to become the Scottish Football Association’s new performance director to accept the Jambos post - and is already planning big things for a club who are have made significant strides since their 2014 administration crisis.
He said: “This is the right place. It’s the right place because of the tremendous work that has taken place over the last two-and-a-half years.
“There isn’t a limit to what you can do unless you believe in the limits set by other people. I think you can already see I don’t live with those limits in my mind. I’m willing to make the statement we can go a little bit further.
“I believe there are improvements to be made here. There is space to grow and develop. We intend on being here for a long time. There will be highs and lows, but it’s about improving.”
Cathro’s appointment has sparked some fiesty debate in recent days, with the likes of former St Mirren midfielder Jamie Fularton and Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd publicly doubting his suitability for one of Scottish football’s biggest jobs.
But Budge is happy with her new-look management team.
She added: “I’m excited and delighted. We’ve had a number of conversations over the last few days and I think Ian and Austin are a fantastic addition to our team.”