Cathro critics are vindictive, claims MacPhee

EXCLUSIVE By Graeme Croser HEARTS assistant Austin MacPhee has launched a spirited defence of Ian Cathro in the face of what he describes as ‘vindictive and disrespectful’ criticism of the club’s head coach.

MacPhee joined Cathro at Tynecastle last December as part of a surprise and untried managerial team appointed by director of football Craig Levein to succeed Robbie Neilson.

Formerly assistant manager at Portugal’s Rio Ave and Valencia in Spain, and more recently a coach at Newcastle United, Cathro had a coaching track record. However, at 30 and with no prior playing experience, his suitability to manage in the front line has repeatedly been called into