DALY INSISTS HEARTS’ NEW BOSS HAS A DREAM TEAM

IF, as expected, Ian Cathro is confirmed this week as Robbie Neilson’s successor as Hearts chief coach, the Newcastle United assistant will inherit a fantastic squad.

That’s the opinion of Gorgie Under-20 coach Jon Daly, who took charge of the team at Ross County yesterday along with Andy Kirk.

Hearts director of football Craig Levein would not give an update on the situation surrounding Neilson’s replacement in the wake of the 2-2 draw in Dingwall.

But Dundee-born Cathro, 30, is expected to be named within the next 72 hours and Daly reckons it will turn out to be a dream job.

He said: ‘You must give credit to Robbie and Stevie (Crawford). They have left a fantastic squad of players for whoever comes in.

‘There’s great strength in depth. We can call on top-class players from the bench.’

Daly added: ‘I thought it was fine for Andy and I. Credit to the players, they’re a great bunch of good professionals, so my job was fairly simple.

‘The team practically picked itself. There were a few injuries we had to deal with during the game but that was fine. We’ve a good squad to call on. I really enjoyed it. The players helped us out a lot.

‘They showed character. At 1-0 down, we looked a bit lethargic and we told them that at half-time.

‘It was understandable with the week and games they’ve had. They put everything into a big game against Rangers and then found themselves 1-0 down yesterday.

‘We knew beforehand how Ross County would play, putting balls into our box and putting us under pressure.

‘But we didn’t deal with the first ball and then the second ball goes in the back of our net.

‘But the team showed great character to come back and go 2-1 ahead. Again, after that, it’s a ball into the box that we didn’t deal with.’