BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
IAN CATHRO has heard John Robertson’s tales of the thundering timber of Tynecastle’s iconic old Main Stand.
He has spent time perusing the Hearts Museum and poring over the artefacts and memorabilia.
Hearts-daft volunteers have regaled him with memories of those electric European nights in Gorgie; from Bayern Munich to Bologna to Red Star Belgrade.
As the final fixture in front of Archibald Leitch’s iconic 103-year-old structure approaches, the young head coach cannot be accused of eschewing the club’s past as he seeks to build a new future.
Cathro said: “I spent a bit of time in the museum with some of the guys who work there, who I think are voluntary, just asking them questions.
“Their knowledge was unbelievable and I ended up in there for around 45 minutes talking about old games and different moments and big European nights and all those things.
“It’s clear there have been amazing nights that have taken place that will stay with people for their whole lives. That’s why we love it.
“I can’t pretend that I’ve had too many big nights there but obviously we’re inside it, we know it’s old and it has stories.
“For what it is and where we are, it is powerful. Inside of what it is – our football, our country, our level – I think it is a special place.
“I remember Robbo [John Robertson] telling me – because he does tell stories! – that he couldn’t get the noise of the timber being banged out of his head at times, and he told me I’d only heard it once. Maybe we could get a recording of that to play in the new stand. That would be nice!”
As the bulldozers move in, Cathro, meanwhile, will be charged with constructing a team ON the pitch – and he believes the show of ambition for the club can only aid his efforts.
He continued: “It’s one of those things that is just an essential step and an exciting one. The club wants to grow to a level where it can have big nights and European football – and there are certain things that stadia need to have in order to realistically call that an ambition.
“I really do think the way the club have planned all this out – from our working level and fans coming to enjoy it – it’s going to look good.
“And, without a doubt, it will be an attractive prospect for players to come and play in front of what it will be.”
The final opportunity to hear that mighty din Robertson spoke of will come against Aberdeen, as the Jambos seek to retain their slender hopes of Europa League qualification.
He added: “We never got the result we wanted last week against Partick – still not sure why – so that changes the dynamic for us. We can’t waste any time thinking about anything other than giving ourselves the best chance to win the next game. After that, we can have a wee look at the situation.”
