TYNECASTLE IN TURMOIL

RUNNERS AND RIDERS

HEARTS director of football Craig Levein must begin the search for Ian Cathro’s successor. Here we outline the names in the frame: The Northern Ireland manager, based in Edinburgh, knows the Scottish game inside out. The fact he’s an ex-Hibs player won’t matter to the club if they believe he can take them forward. This passionate and eloquent coach, out of work after leaving Fleetwood a year ago, must feature high on the list. He spent eight years in Gorgie as captain and even had a spell as joint caretaker boss in 2005 after John Robertson left the club.

One of the Riccarton Three, with Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon, who railed against the Vladimir Romanov regime. Another former Hearts star, another one of the Riccarton Three. Also out of work. What’s not to love? He was sacked by Dundee last term, many claim unfairly, after a run of seven defeats. But his hand was hardly helped by the sale of his top two goalscorers Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings. The Northern Ireland coach is highly rated but he has no experience of top-level management or playing as a professional. For all his qualities on the training pitch, Levein is unlikely to turn to him as the next manager. That day may come though. TOMMY WRIGHT Scottish Cup glory, top-six finishes, wins at Celtic Park and Ibrox but Wright – with all his experience, nous and skills – is still at St Johnstone. Levein would be unwise to dismiss the prospect of Wright regaining Hearts’ credibility on the pitch. Could Levein really appoint Levein? Surely he won’t return to another spell in the dugout ...