Frail calls for Hearts transplant
by Tom Adams, 12 May 2008
Hearts will undergo major reconstruction during the close season to ensure the club are contending for the SPL title and domestic silverware next season, according to caretaker boss Stevie Frail.
Vladimir Romanov is very keen to continue the club’s youth policy to produce the stars of tomorrow, but Frail is adamant that experience must be brought in during the summer to enhance the rapidly-increasing number of youngsters breaking through into the first team.
Hearts lost on Saturday and Frail labelled Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock as "apathetic" and, after last Monday’s defeat to Falkirk, Frail is hoping Romanov will endorse a major service of the first team squad before the new season kicks off.
"I think there's an overhaul of the whole squad needed," Frail told the Evening News. “That doesn't mean bringing in bundles of players because we've done that before. Those who do come in must enhance the young lads we have because it's difficult out there for the kids.
"I thought young Jason Thomson acquitted himself quite well on Saturday. Gary Glen was a doubt on the morning of the game and, after 55 minutes, the physio wanted me to take him off. He was cramping up because he has a real problem with his calf, but I had to leave him on to try and get something from the match.
"We need players who can come in and help these lads develop. I think we need to freshen up in pretty much most areas. Hopefully we'll be allowed to do that."
Frail was given complete control of team affairs on January 1 after yet another managerial change within the club under Romanov and the temporary boss insists he is heartened by the reaction of the squad since his appointment.
Frail added: “The on-field discipline has improved a lot since then," he continued. "I've got a reaction from them and that's all I wanted.
“From January until the split we were sitting third in terms of form. I'd like to think that's down to something I've done but it's also because of what the players have done.
“We're disappointed to lose the last two games because we wanted to win them, but there was an apathy about Saturday's performance. Now we have to get a victory over Gretna tomorrow night.”