The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cathro ‘ready’ for top job at Tynecastle
New 30-year-old manager insists he has what it takes
Ian Cathro has shrugged off doubters who claim that he does not have the personality to be Hearts boss, insisting: “I’m ready”.
The 30-year-old is Gorgie owner Ann Budge’s choice to replace former head coach Robbie Neilson after his departure to MK Dons.
But, having never played the game at a serious level, the Dundonian’s appointment has not gone down well with everyone.
The likes of former St Mirren midfielder Jamie Fullarton and Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd have raised doubts about his suitability for one of Scottish football’s biggest jobs.
Fullarton claimed the man who started off his coaching journey with Dundee United’s youth academy before landing posts with Spanish giants Valencia and English Championship leaders Newcastle lacked the “social skills” to command a first-team dressing room.
Meanwhile Boyd suggested Cathro, who also worked in Portugal with Rio Ave, would be “out of his depth”.
But Cathro gave a confident display at his official unveiling alongside Budge and new assistant boss Austin MacPhee.
“We all want to talk about something we love. One of the reasons why stadiums are full is because people can be involved and have an opinion, so that [criticism is] fine,” he said.
“Am I daunted by working with older players? No, I’ve done that before.”
Cathro, who has gained a reputation for innovative thinking, will have his methods put to the test starting against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.
But he has told his new players he will not try to reinvent the wheel. “Maybe how I work is slightly different, but it is in the same degree that every manager will have a preferred way of working. I wouldn’t use the word radical.”