Frankie McAvoy: 'I will make final decision on Hearts team selection'

Frankie McAvoy says he will make the final decision on the Hearts side if there are any disagreements between the new-look management team and insists the set-up will work well.

McAvoy was appointed to the role of head-coach and Steven Naismith was named in a technical director role due to the fact he doesn’t have a UEFA pro-license.

Former Scotland forward Naismith took charge of the club in an interim basis after Robbie Neilson towards the end of last season.

The duo have been joined by first-team coach Gordon Forrest and the trio will take charge of the first-team this season.

But McAvoy says the players will be well aware how the set-up will work as he looks forward to the new season starting with a game against St Johnstone in Perth on Saturday.

He said: “We are really looking forward to the season, we have had five or six weeks of pre-season and the work starts tomorrow.

“We don’t it find it awkward, we don’t find it confusing, the club announced it a good few months ago in terms of the set up.

“We will work closely together, there are moments in the game where Steven, Gordon and myself are all involved quite closely.

“The only difference is if we go through the team selection and if there is a bit of a disagreement or difference in opinion then I will make that final decision. It’s as simple as that.

“We worked really well together last season and the club were happy with how we done it.

“At the end of the day the guys in the dressing room are the most important and they know and understand the message we are putting across, and I think that is clear and concise.

“We know exactly how we are doing it here at the club and at the end of the day I’ll name the team and I’ll decide who’ll be in the starting eleven and who will be on the bench.”