MUSSELBURGH'S John McGlynn is relishing his "dream job" as he takes charge at SPL big boys Hearts.

The 50-year-old told Courier Sport that he believed his side was capable of mounting a strong challenge next season despite a reduced budget and the loss of several key players, though he thought fans would be realistic about the obstacles faced.

And McGlynn received a ringing endorsement from nephew Davie, manager of Musselburgh Athletic, who described him as "likeable and hard-working".

McGlynn has continued the tradition of managers from the Honest Toun taking charge of Hearts after he was confirmed as the successor to Paulo Sergio at Tynecastle, bringing to an end a six-year tenure in charge of First Division Raith Rovers.

McGlynn, who was born in the Honest Toun and both played for and managed Musselburgh Athletic earlier in his career, follows in the footsteps of another Musselburgh man, Sergio's predecessor Jim Jefferies, in taking the top job at Hearts. McGlynn previously worked under Jefferies as an assistant at Hearts before leaving for Raith.

His long connection with the Jambos made it little surprise when he was confirmed in the job and he was happy to admit that it was simply an offer that he couldn't refuse.

"I think it's fair to say it's my dream job," he said. "I've worked there previously, then I've gone away and got some management experience, and getting the opportunity to come back is fantastic.

"I'm definitely sad to leave Raith, I spent five-and-a-half years there and there were a lot of good people that I worked with, a lot of good professionals, good players and good fans.

"But this was an opportunity that I couldn't turn down." During his time at Starks Park, McGlynn oversaw the Kirkcaldy club's promotion to the First Division and was named Manager of the Year for the 2010/11 season after taking them to the brink of promotion to the SPL, only to be pipped by Dunfermline.

The 2011/12 season proved tougher, as Rovers briefly flirted with relegation before eventually finishing seventh.

But his achievements proved enough for Hearts supremo Vladimir Romanov to pick him to succeed Sergio, who last season led Hearts to Scottish Cup glory as well as a fifth place finish in the league.

The cup win, coupled with the loss of Rangers from the league, means that many Hearts fans will be expecting big things from the Jambos next season, but McGlynn will have a tighter transfer budget to work with than his predecessors, and has already lost a number of players, including key men from last season including Tranent's Ian Black, and striker Craig Beattie.

Nevertheless, McGlynn has faith in the club's youngsters - including Musselburgh's 19-year-old starlet Jason Holt - and hopes his charges will be able to push on this season and not let Celtic claim the runaway title victory many expect.

"Obviously I'm going to lose a lot of players, I need to bring younger players in and get everyone pulling in one direction," he said.

"There's a lot of changes, but I know from when I was first here a few of the players, like Andrew Driver and David Templeton, and then there's guys I had out on loan at Raith last season, like Jason Holt and Jamie Walker, so I know a lot of the players very well and I feel very comfortable going back.

"My ambition for next season is to finish as high up the table as we possibly can. Celtic will obviously be the team to beat but we want to finish as high as we can. Expectations are still high but I think the fans recognise that we've lost a lot of players." McGlynn still has strong connections with Musselburgh Athletic, as his brother Charlie is the club chairman, while nephew Davie is Burgh's manager.

And Davie, who played under his uncle during his career at Olive Bank, backed him to do a fine job at Tynecastle.

"We're all absolutely delighted, we're chuffed to bits for him," he told Courier Sport.

"He's a very hands-on manager and the players all like him.

"He's a likeable character who gives everybody the respect they're due, which makes him easy to respect back, and he's very hard working.

"He puts a lot of effort into his job and he's done a fantastic job at Raith, where he gave the young players a chance and they did well.

"Being Hearts boss is the second biggest job in Scottish football now with Rangers gone to the wall.

"It's a big job but he's the right man for the job."