Hearts confirm Cathro as Neilson’s successor

Tynecastle: Levein also targeting MacPhee for assistant role

Hearts have announced the appointment of Ian Cathro as their new head coach.

The 30-year-old has moved to Tynecastle from Newcastle, where he was assistant coach, and signed a threeand-a-half-year deal.

Cathro replaces Robbie Neilson, who has left to join MK Dons, and his first match in charge will be against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

Hearts chairwoman Ann Budge told the club website: “We are delighted to have secured the services of Ian Cathro and are confident he is the ideal candidate to take our club forward.

“He is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the game and has amassed a great deal of experience both at home and abroad.

“He may only be 30 years of age, but we are convinced that he has all the tools required to be a successful head coach.”

The Jambos also hope to entice Northern Ireland assistant manager Austin MacPhee to Tynecastle.

Kirkcaldy-born MacPhee is reported to be the number one choice for the Scottish Football Association performance director role, which Brian McClair vacated in the summer.

But Hearts are aiming to persuade the Scot to move to Tynecastle as assistant to Cathro.

The 37-year-old worked under Danny Lennon at Cowdenbeath and St Mirren before joining the Northern Ireland coaching staff.

MacPhee – who led Cupar Hearts to the Scottish Amateur Cup final in 2007 – watched Hearts’ next opponents beat Aberdeen 2-1 at Ibrox on Saturday.

The Fifer, who also founded a sports tours company and a youth football club, spent his playing days in the United States, Romania and Japan but has already taken his coaching career to far higher levels.