Stand-ingaffer canbeastand outatJambos
LEE McCULLOCH has backed Jon Daly to be a major success at Hearts if he’s handed the manager’s job full-time.
The Kilmarnock manager goes head to head with the Tynecastle caretaker boss at Rugby Park today as the pair look for their first points of the campaign.
McCulloch was Daly’s captain during a spell at Rangers and witnessed first-hand the type of leadership skills and forthright views which would make the Irishman boss material.
Hearts are interviewing candidates for the top post but McCulloch said: “I’m sure he’d do well if given the job, 100 per cent. There is a massive difference from first-team coach to assistant. From assistant to interim is huge, then it is again.
“But I know Jon well, he’s a good friend and Hearts will be organised.
“Jon is a winner, he speaks his mind and doesn’t shy away from responsibility. He’s done that all of his career. He’s always spoke his mind.
“He was acting like a captain back then, which was only good for me at the time. We’re expecting a tough game against a team which could finish top-four minimum.”
Daly could do with a result to relieve some of the strain around Gorgie but McCulloch has his own agenda as friendships are put aside.
Losses on the opening day of the top-flight season were a frustration for both gaffers but the Killie manager is adamant there is no massive need for concern – despite the loss to St Johnstone being followed by a 5-0 hammering by Celtic in the Betfred Cup.
McCulloch said: “Hearts have had a big turnover of players and we’ve had 10 or 11 signings so it’ll take time. We have progressed in terms of getting through in the Betfred Cup.
“Against St Johnstone last Saturday, we were unlucky and I don’t have much to say about Celtic in midweek.
“We started well, the gameplan was working and then we gave away a penalty. Everything went to pot from there.
“It was five goals and I could not have argued if it was seven or eight. People talked about Celtic having a young team but they are top players.
“Most of Celtic’s young players would walk into most Premiership teams, so it’s forgotten about.
“We need to go again against a top-four team. Whether you like it or not, they have to be around the top four in the league.
“But there has been only one game out of 38. I don’t see anyone under pressure. The pressure comes from what you put onto yourself.”
While McCulloch admits he’s hunting another couple of fresh faces to complete his squad building for the summer, one of his newest signings Gordon Greer knows the importance of getting an early-season result.
The stopper said: “It has been a disappointing start so it’s important that we start picking up points. The sooner the better.
“Hearts will bring a big support with them and it’ll be a tough game because they haven’t had the best of starts either.
“If we’re going to get the result we want we’ll need to come out of the blocks quickly.
“We lost to Saints but that was a game we deserved to win. Taking that performance into this game is vital – if we can keep getting the performances right then results will follow.”