Jon Daly takes the reins at Tynecastle for league opener with Celtic

Hearts: Jon Daly handed the reins on an interim basis after Ian Cathro was sacked

Hearts have confirmed coach Jon Daly will lead the club’s preparations for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership opener at Celtic Park following the dismissal of boss Ian Cathro.

The Tynecastle outfit say they are stepping up the search for a new head coach following Cathro’s sacking on Tuesday just eight months after taking charge.

But chairwoman Ann Budge and director of football Craig Levein have decided to hand responsibility for picking the team that will face Brendan Rodgers’ all-conquering Parkhead side to former Dundee United striker Daly.

The Irishman will be supported by Austin MacPhee, Cathro’s former number two, and first-team coach Liam Fox.

The Jambos said in a statement: “Following on from (Tuesday’s) announcement, the club can confirm that the recruitment process is already under way to identify and appoint a new permanent head coach.

“During this process, Jon Daly has been asked to take charge of first-team matters on an interim basis, supported by the current coaching team of assistant head coach Austin MacPhee and first-team coach Liam Fox.

“This interim set-up will take charge of the first team’s Ladbrokes Premiership match at Celtic on Saturday, and until a new head coach has been appointed.”

Former Hearts boss Gary Locke has backed Daly to steady the ship – and stun Celtic this weekend.

Daly, 34, has been handed the reins following the dismissal of Ian Cathro on Tuesday morning, with fellow coaches Austin MacPhee and Liam Fox set to assist him until a permanent successor is found.

The ex-Rangers and Dundee United striker faces a baptism of fire on Saturday, with the Jambos paired with Brendan Rodgers’ invincible league champions at Parkhead.

However, former Hearts boss Locke has urged the capital club to cast aside their current crisis and claim a miraculous victory under Daly’s guidance.

“Playing Celtic is a huge task for us. There is no harder place to go in Scottish football than Celtic Park,” acknowledged Locke. “They are the current league champions and a great side. But we need to go there with belief.

“We have signed a lot of good players over the summer - a lot of international players who will have confidence – and I have no doubt Jon, along with the rest of the backroom staff, will have the lads organised.

“They can go and enjoy the occasion because, aside from ourselves and the Hearts supporters, I don’t think many people expect us to through there and win.

“In that respect, the pressure is off, so go through there, enjoy it and play as well as I know we can. If we do that, I know we can win.”

Locke, meanwhile, insists he can feel Cathro’s pain after the young coach was dismissed.

A miserable tenure came to a head following the Jambos’ Betfred Cup exit against Dunfermline on Saturday, which prompted angry fans to vent their fury towards the dugout and the directors’ box.

Locke is no stranger to the disappointment being felt by Cathro, having been the man axed by owner Ann Budge and director of football Craig Levein in the summer of 2014 to make way for Robbie Neilson.

Now back at the club in an ambassadorial role, Locke added: “It’s been a really difficult few days at the club. I’ve been there before myself as a manager and it’s not nice when you leave a club and my thoughts are certainly with Ian [Cathro] at the moment.

“He has been through a very difficult couple of weeks. It’s not something, in reflection, that is ideal – but we have got to move forward as a club.”

Jon, along with the rest of the backroom staff, will have the lads organised. GARY LOCKE

Picture: SNS. Former Dundee United frontman Jon Daly has been backed to steady the ship at Tynecastle.