Mackay’s Hearts XI – Do You Agree?

It would be a bit of an understatement to say that Gary Mackay is well qualified to pick a ‘best XI’ of the players who were at Hearts during his time with the club in the ’80s and ’90s.

After all, Mackay has played for Hearts more than any other player in their history, and therefore has quite a few players to choose from over a period of 15 years or so at Tynecastle, all of which he’ll have additional inside knowledge on as opposed to simply watching them from the terraces/stands.

So it was therefore very interesting to see the XI that he picked for one of the unmentionable daily rags this week. I’ve listed the team below, together with Mackay’s comments and some of my own. See if you agree with him…

GILLES ROUSSET: Hearts have always had great keepers. I played with Gilles towards the end of my time and the fact I pick him above a guy like Henry Smith speaks volumes for what I think of him.

Interesting he doesn’t choose Henry, but overall there is a good argument to say Rousset was the better ‘keeper. He was more of a presence in the penalty area, particularly in his first two seasons at Hearts, and also won a man of the match award in a Scottish Cup final that his team won. Fair enough!

WALTER KIDD: My protector on the park, and off it sometimes. Fans knew him as Zico for his rampaging forays up the flank.

Was that really why he was called Zico? Wasn’t it more of a sarcastic name because he was ****?! Probably not, but during Mackay’s time with Hearts I’d have to put Stevie Frail ahead of Kidd for the right-black slot – had much more football in him and could link much more effectively with those in front of him. Admittedly nowhere near as hard as Kidd, though!

CRAIG LEVEIN: Would have been a top, top international had injury not ravaged him. An outstanding player and like a racehorse in that he could find an extra gear when he needed to.

Agreed.



SANDY JARDINE: Epitomises all that`s good about football. Huge experience, a great tackler and a great professional, and a player we all learned from.

Although both Dave McPherson and Davie Weir were great centre-back team-mates of Mackay, you can’t begrudge Jardine a place in this side for all of the qualities mentioned above, as well as the overall influence he had at the club along with Alex MacDonald.

TOSH McKINLAY: I don`t know how good he got at Celtic as he was brilliant with us and didn`t get capped, but he did in Glasgow. Brilliant going forward, decent pace, and had a fabulous delivery on his left side.

Particularly good point about Tosh being capped only when he moved to Celtic – biggest example ever of the bias shown towards Old Firm players when it comes to international selection.

Tosh is a good shout here, and probably does edge out Neil Pointon.

COLIN CAMERON: The ultimate box- to-box player. He got goals and he also had frightening reserves of energy.

Yeah no complaints at all here.

GARY MACKAY: Kenny Black and Neil Berry were good players and in the team when I was most effective but I`ve picked who I reckon were the most talented on either side of me.

Puts himself in his greatest ever XI? Modest isn’t he?!



STEVE FULTON: Skipper after I left and a hugely-talented player. He could do things with a ball which few others I have played with could. His touch was second to none.

Another great shout and probably deserves his place here. Jim Bett was another great midfielder at Hearts during Gary’s time there, but wasn’t at the club for long and was past his best. Baggio was in his prime and ended up a club legend.

JOHN COLQUHOUN: Created loads of chances and had a great work ethic. He scored a lot of goals for a wide player when he burst into the box.

Yes – he has to be in this team.

SANDY CLARK: I don`t know if Sandy and Campbell Money had a falling-out as kids, as every time they played Campbell would be carried off. So strong, brave as a lion and his aerial prowess was well documented. Great striker for a midfielder as the ball would stick.

Campbell Money was also one of the best pantomime actors I’ve ever seen on a football pitch – what a fairy!

Clark is a very good shout, particularly for his partnership with Robbo, but was he the best of his type during the Mackay era? Given that this period of time saw the likes of Husref Musemic, Ian Baird and Justin Fashanu donning the famous number 9 shirt, you have to admit that the competition is fierce!

JOHN ROBERTSON: Some players only score against the teams round about them in the league but Robbo scored against everyone, including the Old Firm. I wonder how many goals he`d have scored if he`d played for one of them? I wouldn`t have fancied facing him in their sides.

Another no-brainer like Levein and Colquhoun this one. There won’t be many Hearts overall XI’s without Robbo never mind one of a particular era!



Any dissenters over some of these selections?