DALY EAGER TO STEP UP AS HEARTS BOSS

JON Daly insists he is ready to step up as head coach at Hearts as the club’s board deliberates over Ian Cathro’s successor.

Daly stepped into the breach after Cathro’s abrupt depar ture before the beginning of the season, and has made no secret of his desire to take on the role on a permanent basis.

Chairwoman Ann Budge said in a statement earlier this week that an announcement would be made on C a t h ro ’s successor next week, and Daly is thought to be one of the frontrunners after impressing in his brief spell in charge.

U n d e r D a l y, H e a r t s suffered defeat at Celtic but bounced back with a win over Kilmarnock and a valuable point away at Rangers and he feels ready to take the next step.

The former Dundee United and Rangers striker said ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Motherwell: “I think I have coped quite well.

“From a personal point of view, when you get chucked in having never done it before, it’s interesting and different but i t ’s b e e n enjoyable and I think we’ve handled ourselves well.

“I really enjoy working at the football club in whatever capacity they deem fit. It’s a really good football club that’s going places and I’d love t o be a part of it whether that’s now or in the future.

“I think I’m ready for first team management but I don’t see that being anywhere else other than here.”