John McGlynn reflects on his job at Hearts before Tynecastle return with Falkirk

Falkirk boss John McGlynn insisted he is “content” with the way his career has panned out as he prepares to take charge of his first Premiership match at Tynecastle since losing his job at Hearts in February 2013.

Following more than a decade on the backroom staff with the Jambos between 1995 and 2006, the 63-year-old returned to the Edinburgh club as manager in 2012, immediately after their historic 5-1 Scottish Cup final triumph over city rivals Hibernian.

McGlynn’s Hearts side ran Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool close in a Europa League play-off and reached the League Cup final against a backdrop of deepening financial troubles under erratic owner Vladimir Romanov.

But after just eight months in charge, he departed before the showpiece match against St Mirren with the Jambos second bottom of the league.

McGlynn has been back to Hearts with Livingston and Raith Rovers in the Championship, but this Saturday’s match will be his first time in the Tynecastle dugout as a Premiership manager since his Jambos side suffered a 3-2 home defeat by Inverness in his penultimate fixture in charge 12 and a half years ago.

“For me, after five and a half years at Raith Rovers, it was probably the right time (to get a crack at the Hearts job), but it was probably the wrong time to be at Hearts,” he reflected on Thursday.

“There was so much change going on, but I probably lasted longer than some. I felt there was pros and cons to it. I can look back at the two games against Liverpool fondly.

“I also look back fondly at getting the team to the League Cup final, which Hearts have got a horrendous record in.

“Our league form wasn’t great, we were trying to play good football but getting hit with sucker punches and losing games.

“On the back of winning the Scottish Cup with a 5-1 win against Hibs, there were high expectation but with only half of the Scottish Cup team left, it was always going to be difficult with the brief to bring in younger players because there was obviously no money.

“I think we did a reasonable job under the circumstances. It’s not done me any harm because I’m quite content with what I’ve done in football and where I am right now.

“I had a lot to thank Hearts for, for the opportunity I was given in the first place. Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown opened the door for me (in 1995) and I got in and had some great times there.

“I don’t have any ill feeling or resentment. You just deal with the cards you’re dealt.”