Thursday 13 April 2017 15:05, UK
Hearts owner Ann Budge has sprung to the defence of Ian Cathro hitting out at the "ludicrous" criticism the club's head coach has had to endure.
Cathro took over in November but they have won just six games out of 20 since he succeeded Robbie Neilson, slipping from second to fifth in the Scottish Premiership.
Matters came to a head when director of football Craig Levein was reported to have entered the dressing room at half-time during the defeat at Pittodrie last month, prompting speculation in some sections of the Scottish media that Cathro's postion was being undermined.
But Budge told the club's website: "There had been questioning of the director of football's role in terms of the first team. This reached frenzied proportions during and after the recent Aberdeen game.
"The media focus that has been centred on Hearts ever since Ian joined us has reached ludicrous proportions at times."
"As has been explained many times before, the director of football role as it applies at Hearts is very wide and very varied.
"For the avoidance of doubt, Ian picks the team as did Robbie when he was here. Any input from Craig whether in note form from a vantage point in the stand or in any other form is given purely to assist Ian's decision-making."
Cathro's lack of managerial experience was cited as a handicap by some when he was appointed but Budge insists the 30-year-old has the full support of the board in their long-term strategy.
She said: "Firstly, it was questioning why the club would appoint such a young, inexperienced head coach, seriously questioning Ian's credentials for the job.
"I would answer that quite simply by referring to our long-term strategy which sees us investing in and developing young coaches. This appointment was totally consistent with that objective.
"We set out at the start of the season with a business plan based on a fourth place finish.
"We will continue to strive for that position, with the possibility that brings of European football in the summer."
Budge also revealed that Tynecastle will be used for home games in July, whether those be in the Europa League or League Cup, with three stands in operation as work continues on the new main stand.
The club are also hoping to play their first three league games of next season away from home following a request to the SPFL ahead of their first home game on Sepetember 9, the planned completion date of works at Tynecastle.
Should their be any hitch in the rebuilding, Budge also confirmed that there was a contingency plan to play matches at Murrayfield should the need arise.
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