YOU’LL BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT ME
McLaughlin’s backing Hearts to thrive after summer exit
JON McLAUGHLIN reckons the Hearts will be stronger without him next season.
The impressive Tynecastle keeper is set to depart this summer with clubs south of the border lining up to sign him.
A replacement for the 30-yearold shot-stopper is among Craig Levein’s priorities as he prepares to add as many as 10 new faces during the close season.
A disappointing campaign, disrupted by Ian Cathro’s sacking last August and the building of the new £15million main stand, looks set to end with a sixth-place finish in the Premiership.
But McLaughlin is adamant the team will be in a better position to launch an assault on second place next term.
Ahead of tonight’s televised clash at Aberdeen, McLaughlin said: “Really good foundations have been put in this season.
“Things look bright for next season because the gaffer will get a full pre-season with his group of players and will be able to get the messages across straight from the start.
“The gaffer and his staff have done a really good job of making everyone see the potential that’s here. If you can get the key areas nailed down, a bit of consistency in various areas, it gives you a real good platform. This club has so much going for it.
“It’s rebuilding from the trouble it had, and that takes time, like any club. You can’t just throw tonnes and tonnes of money at something. It takes time and you have to have the right people in place.
“Even if I do move on they have a great defensive unit. I genuinely don’t think we are very far away from the teams competing for second.
“The start of the season was difficult – change of manager, the changes he wanted to make to the group, the fact we played so many games away in a row, home games at Murrayfield.
“We’ve seen how important Tynecastle has been to us with the consistency we’ve got there.”
While Hearts are unbeaten in 14 games since returning to redeveloped Tynecastle, their away form is less than impressive with only four wins from 17.
McLaughlin admits that needs addressed and said: “Sometimes football is so much about confidence, it’s not just about the ability on the pitch. It’s the mindset of people. Teams can look at our record and see we don’t win many away from home, we draw or lose. There is no fear for them to get at us. “We have not looked as solid or as competitive but it’s fine margins so often.” McLaughlin, signed last year after being released by Burton Albion, admits he’s indebted to Hearts for taking a chance on him when there were question marks over his fitness. He said: “I’ve been very grateful for the opportunity the gaffer has given me after a serious injury and everything that has led from that.
“I snapped a tendon from my arm to chest three games from the end of last season. It was the worst possible time.
“I had to have surgery and I had 12 weeks when you can’t lift an arm, you can’t train and you can’t do any work over the summer for pre-season, and of course you can’t pass a medical with a prospective club. It takes you out the market completely.
“That’s why it took until August before I could go in with clubs and start training and trying to prove yourself.
“Whatever happens it’s been a great season and it’s thanks to the gaffer and others associated with Hearts.”