Budge is backing under-fire Cathro
HEARTS owner Ann Budge has launched a staunch defence of underpressure manager Ian Cathro and insisted he alone picks the team at Tynecastle. Saturday’s 1-0 home win over struggling Dundee saw the rookie head coach arrest a worrying run of one win in nine games — including a dismal Scottish Cup replay exit to Edinburgh rivals Hibs. When Cathro succeeded Robbie Neilson in December, Hearts were second top on goal difference but now sit fifth. However, Budge declared herself ‘pleased’ at the Gorgie club securing a top-six finish after nine new players were recruited in January. She said: ‘Four games into the new management era, we lost (Scotland defender) Callum Paterson to longterm injury and two games later we lost another key defender, John Souttar, to
long-term injury. No one anticipated the departure of (defender) Igor Rossi. ‘We reacted and brought in some highly-rated players — some to see us through to the summer and some on longer deals. ‘With so many changes, there was always going to be a period of disruption. ‘Despite this, I am pleased that, once again, we have secured a top-six place. We set out at the start of the season with a business plan based on a fourth-place finish — and after all of the changes, we have slipped to fifth place. ‘That said, we will continue to strive for fourth. We are taking a long-term view of building this club and a run of disappointing results following a period of significant change will not divert us from our purpose. ‘It has been questioned why the club would appoint such a young, inexperienced head coach, seriously questioning Ian’s credentials for the job. ‘I’d answer by referring to our long-term strategy, which sees us investing in and developing young coaches. This appointment was consistent with that objective.’ Budge also sought to quash the persistent rumours about Hearts’ director of football, Craig Levein, picking the team. ‘The director of football’s role reached frenzied proportions during and after the recent Aberdeen game,’ added Budge. ‘The director of football role is very wide and varied. Craig is responsible for all football matters. He is also an executive director on the board. ‘Craig holds his position because of his vast footballing experience. ‘That said, he no more does Ian’s job than he does Roger Arnott’s job as head of the academy or, indeed, mine, as chief executive. ‘Ian picks the team.’ Meanwhile, Budge also revealed that if the new main stand at Tynecastle is not opened as planned on September 8, the club will play home league games at Murrayfield.