Frankie McAvoy has blown apart any doubts over who will be in charge of Hearts when the Premiership resumes and declared: “I’m calling the shots”.
The former academy director was appointed as head coach last month with Steven Naismith assuming a technical director role. Naismith is unable to manage in European competition without his UEFA badges and is currently working towards completing his pro licence. The mechanics of the arrangement have led some to believe Naismith - who took interim charge for the final seven games last season after Robbie Neilson’s sacking - was still actively in charge.
But while the former striker will lead the recruitment side of the footballing operation - with Hearts interest in Aussie forward Sammy Silvera now at an end - it’s former Preston boss McAvoy who will take ultimate charge on matchday with coach Gordon Forrest making up the frontline trio. Speaking at the Jambos’ pre-season training base here in Marbella, McAvoy said: “What we do is we work collaboratively together, the three of us.
“We’ll discuss the team, how we think we’ll play. But ultimately I’ll make the final decision on who is going to start, if there is any difference. I’ll call the end shot in terms of team selection. Is Steven happy with that? Of course he is. He has told me he is so hopefully!
“I’m a wee bit more experienced than Naisy and Gordy. Listen, we had a good chat about how it would work and we are happy with the dynamics. We worked together as a group the last seven games.
“Very rarely did we have a real argument although there were times we had a difference of opinion. We will do again going forward but ultimately I’ll decide who plays. That’s it.”
Dundee United duo Jamie McGrath and Dylan Levitt are on Hearts’ radar as they look to strengthen this summer.
But the Jambos have yet to make a signing and they’ve ended their interest in Central Coast Mariners ace Silvera after the A-League side accepted bids from four English Championship sides. However, McAvoy insists the Tynecastle club are closing in on new faces with sporting director Joe Savage on the case.
He said: “Collectively we look at targets. Then when we get down to the finer details, Naisy will deal with that as technical director along with Joe who will hopefully be able to do his magic and get deals over the line. But it has to be deals that suit us as well as the player. I don’t think there’s any need to rush in for a player we’re not all 100 per cent on.
“But we have targets there and we’re working behind the scenes to hopefully get something done. Joe’s contacts throughout Europe is massive.
“What we’ve done is look everywhere rather than just inwards. We need to look at all the different metrics, there’s so much information and stats available that you can watch and clip. We’ve spent a lot of time doing that and hopefully we’ll be able to get some in in not too long.”
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