BBC Scotland have taken the unusual step of issuing an on-air apology after a discussion focusing on Austin MacPhee on their Saturday afternoon Sportsound programme was deemed to have been unfair to the Hearts interim manager. It is understood BBC Scotland received two official complaints, one believed to be from the club, after the discussion was aired. MacPhee joined Hearts as Ian Cathro’s assistant in December 2016. MacPhee is among the leading contenders to succeed Levein on a full-time basis and is also a candidate for the sporting director vacancy at Tynecastle. A number of current players have spoken out in favour of MacPhee being given the manager’s post, including Michael Smith, Steven Naismith and Jake Mulraney.

Source: BBC November 17, 2019 19:52 UTC