Alan Irvine has revealed how a coaching collaboration featuring Frankie McAvoy and Steven Naismith can work in perfect harmony for Hearts.
Irvine teamed up with McAvoy in Alex Neil’s backroom staff at Norwich. And he was assistant gaffer when Naisy starred for Everton and then the Canaries. The veteran coach hopes to hook up again with his two former colleagues on Sunday when the Jambos play a closed door friendly at Wigan. irvine put Naisy through his ‘B’ licence and believes he’s got a great future as a gaffer.
But while the 36-year-old graduates to UEFA Pro Licence level, it’s McAvoy at the helm and Gordon Forrest helping out as first team coach. Irvine said: “Frankie and I sat next to each other in the office at Norwich and, first and foremost, he’s a really nice guy. I went in as assistant manager, working alongside Frankie who was effectively assistant as well, although that wasn’t his title.