Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
I feel butterflies again — Levein
CRAIG Levein admits he has already got butterflies in his stomach ahead of his return to the Hearts dugout.
The f ormer Scotland manager i s set t o t ake charge of a team for the first time since a 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Belgium in October 2012.
And the 52-year-old is both excited and nervous ahead of the first match of his second stint as Hearts boss, against Premiership leaders Aberdeen, after switching roles from director of football.
“The transfer window meant I wasn’t on t he training ground much last week but I have been this week,” said t he f ormer Dundee United manager.
“It’s been good. I felt a little bit rusty at first obviously and the voice was a little bit croaky, I haven’t been shouting for a while, but I have enjoyed it.
“I have started to feel those little butterflies again. I am l ooking forward to tomorrow. My previous role was j ust watching and giving some advice if asked.
“This is different. For the first time in four or five years I have got a game plan and I’ m selecting players, which I am looking forward to. And I imagine there will be a touch of nerves tomorrow.”
Levein is the fourth man to lead Hearts inside nine months following Robbie Neilson’s depar ture t o MK Dons, I an Cathro’s ill-fated reign and a second caretaker stint for Jon Daly, who took four points from the opening four Premiership games.
“Every time there is a change in the managerial position it’s quite difficult for the players, so I have tried to simplify everything and make it straightforward,” he said.