Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian has handed interim Manager Gary Locke "a massive League Cup Final boost by giving him the manager’s job on a permanent basis," according to Gordon Waddell of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The 39-year-old "has been in interim charge for the past three games since John McGlynn was axed." Locke, assistant Darren Murray and coach Edgaras Jankauskas "have been given deals through to the summer of 2014." Despite former Dundee United boss Peter Houston having talks -- and even getting as far as agreeing terms last week -- Dir Sergejus Fedotovas "made the announcement that Locke was their man via the club’s website" Saturday. Fedotovas said, "We considered several people for the job and were close to making an appointment of what we believed to be the best of outside candidates" (DAILY RECORD, 3/17). The SCOTSMAN reported Locke confessed his appointment as manager of Hearts had come "as bit of a surprise." Locke said, "I’ve been happy with the way things have gone in the last couple of weeks and hopefully we can finish the week on the ultimate high by bringing the cup back to Tynecastle. But it’s great, I’m delighted to get my future sorted out and I’m really looking forward to the cup final" (SCOTSMAN, 3/17).
