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Willo impressed by pal’s passion and tips him to be Hearts gaffer

WILLO FLOOD knew Stuart Pearce was destined for management after sharing a dressing room with him at the tail end of the England legend’s illustrious playing career.

And the Irishman insists he felt exactly the same about Jon Daly following their time together at Dundee United.

Daly might not boast the same CV as the man nicknamed Psycho for the former full-back’s unforgiving style of play.

But for Flood they share the same passion, commitment and desire and that’s why he would love to see Daly land the Hearts job on a permanent basis.

In three spells at United, Flood spent four years with his compatriot who is currently holding the fort at Tynecastle after Ian Cathro’s sacking.

Daly has managed one win against Kilmarnock, a battling scoreless Ibrox draw at the weekend and one defeat to champions Celtic.

The Irishman, who has stepped up from his role as Under-20s boss, is keen to land the role but faces competition from Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley, who Flood played with at Celtic.

Flood wants Daly to get the job with a special mention for Hartley who is looking to get back into the game after he was sacked by Dundee.

He said: “Stuart Pearce used to come and help us out with the youth team at Manchester City and you could see he was desperate to go into management.

“He was actually quite softly spoken which is different to when he was a player.

“I played for him when he was a manager and I see similarities between his path into management and the one Jon could take. They were both players who went into coaching and wanted to become managers and for me that’s the right way to go about things because they are learning the ropes.

“I would love big Jon to get the Hearts gig but if he doesn’t I’m sure in the next two or three years he will become manager of Hearts or another big Scottish club.

“It’s always hard to say with any certainty that players you played with will go on to become managers.

“I played with Paul Hartley, Gary Caldwell and Pearce and you know they love the game and are desperate to do well. They are so passionate about football and watch games all the time and you want those people in your club.

“Paul Hartley was more softly spoken and he did a good job at Dundee and was probably harshly treated after they hit a bit of bad form.

“But when you think of where the club were when he went in to where he left them, they were definitely in a better place.

“I wouldn’t be disappointed if either of them got the job. But Jon has definitely given the place a lift. You can see the players are playing for him.

“They’re not playing free-flowing football but they’re working hard for each other and getting results. It doesn’t surprise me that he has got a reaction because he always had high standards as a player.

“When Jon was skipper at Dundee United he used to take charge of meetings and if people weren’t pulling their weight he’d tell them. He wasn’t overly aggressive but if he had something to say he would get his point across and that was it.

“For me, young lads take that better than someone ranting and raving. He led by example and was always one who demanded standards and he’s obviously taken that into coaching.

“I also played with former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson. He was always a deep thinker and he’s done really well. Jon is a different personality but I’m sure he’ll get his point across and I hope he’s