TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE FOR GARY

GARY MACKAY has watched Hearts take 10 points out of 12 over the festive period but wouldn't be surprised if the roof caved in on the club.

If gold medals were handed out for self-destruction then Hearts would be the Olympic standard bearers.

Despite the Jambos moving to within two points of second placed Rangers, former Hearts and Scotland midfielder Mackay is still looking over his shoulder to see if adversity is in the offing.

He said: "The big thing for Hearts is not to get carried away. Things can turn negative at this club and the supporters know that from bitter experience.

"That is the history of the club and not just the hallmark of Vladimir Romanov's time in charge.

"There is never a dull moment and adversity is never far away - especially when the side are riding high.

"At this moment in time Hearts are going well and it has been a great Christmas and New Year.

"I would love that kind of stability between now and the end of the season but nobody here will hold their breath on that front."

Hearts' recent revival has coincided with Stephen Frail becoming first-team coach alongside Lithuanian head coach Valdas Ivanauskas.

Mackay said: "I just love Frail's enthusiasm on the touchline and he was similar in that sense to John McGlynn.

"It is great to see and it is clearly rubbing off on all the players.

"Valdas keeps the team grounded and that is the way he has worked since he became the manager at Tynecastle.

"Valdas and Stephen as a partnership appears to be working to good effect."

Mackay insists Hearts, alongside every other club in the top flight chasing Rangers, will have that coveted second spot in the SPL firmly in their sights.

He said: "Hearts are slowly but surely going about their business and taking 10 points from their last 12 is a sign of good form.

"The great thing about the league this season is that it is not just Rangers and Hearts who are vying for that second position.

"This time Aberdeen, Hibs and even Kilmarnock are in the mix.

"It is just sad that Celtic are running away with the SPL title but the push for second place looks like it is going right to the wire."

Meanwhile, Hearts boss Ivanauskas has denied that Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla is on the verge of signing for Italian Serie B side Brescia on a six-month deal.

Pinilla, 22, has made only three league appearances this season following his loan deal from Sporting Lisbon.

But Ivanauskas said: "This is news to me and Mauricio Pinilla is a good player and is contracted to Hearts until the end of the season.

"There may be interest from Brescia and we may hold discussions in the future but this is the first time I have heard anything like this.

"I am not really thinking about Pinilla leaving Hearts just now."

Taken from the Daily Record