The 36-year-old, who retired from playing to take up a coaching role at Hearts in 2021, will lead the Tynecastle side for the remaining seven matches of the Scottish Premiership campaign and if his audition proves successful, and he reclaims third place from Aberdeen to set up the prospect of European group stage football next season, then he will likely be in contention to land the job on a permanent basis.
This has been reflected in the bookmakers odds with the former Scotland internationalist listed as the current favourite to still be manager of the Gorgie club when the 2023-24 season kicks off in August.
Should Hearts decide to turn to a more experienced coach then there is a whole list of candidates who the bookies reckons could be in the frame including the recently departed ex-Chelsea assistant manager and the current head coach of Brentford B team.
Here are the top names listed by McBookie as most likely to be Hearts manager for the opening league match of next season…
17. John Robertson 16/1
The current Inverness sporting director is a Hearts legend following two spells as a player where the all-time leading goalscorer. He went on to manage the club but despite two cup semi-finals and a good season in Europe as well as finishing fifth in the league, he was sacked in May 2005. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
18. Kevin Muscat 16/1
The former Rangers defender has previously worked under Ange Postecoglou and replaced the current Celtic boss at Yokohama F. Marinos in 2021, where he emulated his predecessor’s achievement by lifting the Japanese league title last year. Photo: STR