I thought I was doing well taking grapes to Craig.. then Ann brought him Man U player

MacPhee happy to be upstaged by club owner as all at Hearts hope for a swift Levein return

Craig’s hit a bump in road and we want him relaxed about processes he put in place AUSTIN MacPHEE

AUSTIN MacPHEE was chuffed with himself at being able to find maroon-coloured grapes to take on his hospital visit to Hearts boss Craig Levein.

But the Tynecastle assistant admits he could not compete with the gift Jambos owner Ann Budge brought 24 hours later – Manchester United player Demi Mitchell.

Confirmation of the left wing-back’s loan return from Old Trafford perked Levein up as he eyed a swift return to work.

It was a fraught start to the week for everyone concerned at the club. A profound sense of worry for the welfare of Levein was replaced by relief within hours after news filtered through that the 53-year-old was already recovering.

Levein has since been discharged and is already bombarding MacPhee with phone calls in relation to today’s closure of the transfer window and tomorrow’s Premiership visit of St Mirren.

The league leaders will attempt to maintain their flawless start to the campaign and MacPhee knows three points, rather than his grapes, will help aid Levein’s indefinite period of convalescence.

MacPhee, who said Levein will pick the team for tomorrow, said: “I went to see him on Monday afternoon. He likes a scone Craig, a dry one like his sense of humour.

“There weren’t any available on the city bypass so I went for something more traditional going to the hospital. I got him some grapes, they were actually maroon of all colours.

“I thought I did quite well then Ann went to see him on Tuesday and had got him a Manchester United player. I was upstaged but we all have a different budget with gifts.

“He was in good spirits when I saw him and wanted out.

“He wanted to talk about football, training and know about what I was doing with the transfer targets.

“He was determined to get out of there as quick as he could. The care he’s had has been fantastic. He’s now home and on the road to recovery. “I was shocked when Ann phoned me. Thankfully, within a couple of hours he was already on the road to recovery. “We had three meetings – one with the staff, one with senior players then one with all the playing staff. We’ve just got on with our jobs since.” Levein trusts his coaching staff and already delegates much of the day-to-day responsibility to MacPhee, Jon Daly and Liam Fox. So the Hearts No.2 insists Levein’s absence this week will not have an adverse effect on the team. He said: “At any organisation people talk about whether it can function without the key man. Craig has built a structure and given us experience that allows us mentally to be relaxed and comfortable in this situation. “He is by no means a control freak. He works as much on developing the young staff around him as developing the players. So in a moment like this we know what to do.

“Craig has hit a bump in the road and we want him to feel relaxed about the processes he has put in place.

“We just want to make him feel good about everything he has done and show that it’s working. So we all just need to do our job.

“I’m just answering the phone each time he calls.”

Levein has been able to oversee this week’s signing of Craig Wighton. And the hitkid wants to give Hearts plenty of bang for their buck after the Jambos stumped up serious cash for the Dundee striker.

The 21-year-old last night penned a three-year deal at Tynecastle after making his £250,000 move from Dens Park.

And Wighton said: “When a club like Hearts comes in for you you can’t turn that down.

“The club paying a fee does make you feel wanted. There is a manager here who I’ve known for a number of years and always got on well with so it’s good to have that as well.

“The fact Hearts have paid money shows they wanted me to come and I hope to repay them.

“I can’t wait to get started with the game at the weekend.”