Pressley backs Mcglynn to be success at Tynecastle
Managerial target has ‘plenty of substance’
Friday 22 June 2012 STEvEn Pressley has backed John McGlynn to be a success at Hearts should the 50-year-old be chosen to replace the rather more colourful Paulo Sergio.
Pressley, who might have been a candidate for manager had he not fallen out with Hearts owner vladimir Romanov during the end of his playing days at Tynecastle, can see beyond McGlynn’s downbeat style, and describes him as a serious operator.
“Sometimes clubs can look for charismatic characters but underneath that charisma there is not a lot of substance,” said Pressley, who once shared managerial duties with McGlynn on a caretaker basis at Hearts after the sacking of George Burley in 2005. “He maybe does not carry the same charisma as some managers but there is plenty of substance. That’s the most important aspect.
“He is a good man and he stands for good values. He has a terrific work ethic, and he is a student of the game. He is a players’ manager. He looks out for his players and in return he expects the same. He is a man who brings standards to a football club.”
Pressley pointed to McGlynn’s work with Raith, who he led to a Scottish Cup semi-final in 2010 and then nearly guided to promotion to the Scottish Premier League the following year. He has also put in place an improved youth development structure at the club.
“He has gone away and done his apprenticeship,” said Pressley. “In fact, he has done more than his apprenticeship at Raith Rovers. He has left a legacy, and built the club up not just with performances on the field. He has worked exceptionally hard in developing a good youth structure within the club. He is not just a manager. There are some managers who are only concerned about results on a Saturday afternoon. John is concerned about those who will inherit the club. He will not just work hard in getting a product on the field of play, he works hard in getting standards right throughout the club, including the academy. I believe that is the way Hearts want to progress, with a greater emphasis placed on young players. That’s right up John’s street. He’s earned his stripes. He’s earned the right to be given this opportunity.”
Raith Rovers director Turnbull Hutton insisted Hearts will not get anyone more committed than workaholic McGlynn.
In nearly six years with McGlynn at the helm, the Kirkcaldy club have won the Second Division title, reached a Scottish Cup semi-final and come agonisingly close to winning promotion to
“He stands for good values, has a terrific work ethic and is a student of the game” Steven Pressley
Sky Sports 1
Sky Sports 2