Ex-Hearts boss backed as next Aberdeen manager as Willie Miller sees title messages that Jambos keep sending
The Aberdeen great and a fellow pundit have been talking Hearts plus who comes next in terms of manager at Pittodrie.
Willie Miller insists Hearts have put the gauntlet down to their title rivals - as a former Jambos boss is tipped for the Aberdeen job.
The Pittodrie icon had punditry duties on Wednesday night as the Dons lost 2-1 to Celtic, who moved second and five points off first-placed Hearts through three points. They are still without a manager after Jimmy Thelin’s sacking two months ago and are desperate for the type of Premiership campaign the Jambos are enjoying currently under ex-Reds gaffer Derek McInnes.
Miller was Aberdeen captain the last time they won the title in 1985, the last team outside of Glasgow to do so, and watched on as Hearts downed Peter Leven’s side 1-0 last Saturday. It was a game firmly in maroon control, more so than the scoreline suggests, and Miller believes the Gorgie outfit deserve praise for continually asking Rangers and Celtic to keep up with them.
Willie Miller on Hearts title bid
Miller said on Sportsound: ”Hearts keep making the statements, don't they? They keep winning games. It doesn't matter how narrow the victory is. They look like a team that are on a roll. They look like a team that have got confidence and they look like a team that believe in themselves as well.
“They've got great strength, good physicality as well, and they create chances. You know, invariably, they find the back of the net. They find ways to win games of football. Against, Aberdeen, of course, it was dominant. They thoroughly deserved it. It could have been more. I think if Peter Leven hadn't changed it at half-time, then it would have been more. When you string five across the back with a sitting midfielder right in front of the back three as well, we all know that that's difficult to break down.
“Celtic have got to keep the pressure on Hearts. Celtic, having dominated the game in Scotland for such a long time, haven't been in this position before on too many occasions. Can they handle it? They've got a fabulous manager in Martin O'Neill. He'll use all his experience to get the best out of them. They've had too many games where it's been very close or they've scored late on.”
Who will be next Aberdeen manager?
In terms of who comes next for Aberdeen, former New York Red Bulls boss Sandro Schwarz was in the stands to take in their defeat to Celtic. Former Hibs and Celtic midfielder Scott Allan was on the Sportsound panel alongside Miller and reckons Falkirk’s John McGlynn could be considered.
The former Hearts coach and manager has guided the Bairns from League One to the cusp of the top six and a Scottish Cup semi-final while playing an attractive brand of football. Allan said: “I think the fact that Schwarz is at the game, I think that kind of tells you where it's going with that.
“There is no getting away from that. For me, the one obvious one domestically would be John McGlynn. I think consistently over the last three years and what he's done with Falkirk coming into the Premiership, outstanding. Good style of play, first and foremost. He's now adapting to life in the Premiership and done so well with guys who he's made better footballers. I think all things are pointing towards Schwarz, the fact he’s here.”