Former Boro star Heckingbottom wants to keep Barnsley job

The former Scarborough, Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday left-back - who also played for his hometown club in a career which started at Manchester United - has taken caretaker charge of Barnsley with fellow coach Tommy Wright after Johnson quit for Bristol City.

Their first game in charge was Sunday’s win over Bury - a seventh consecutive victory in League One - and the club have also reached Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Nothing would make Heckingbottom prouder than leading the Tykes out at Wembley as Barnsley’s new permanent manager.

Asked if he would like the job on a full-time basis, Heckingbottom, who played 29 games on loan from Sunderland during the 1997-98 season for Scarborough, said: “I would love to. I am a Barnsley boy, season-ticket holder, turned down offers to come and play for the club.

“I turned down coaching jobs to coach at the club, so of course I would (take the job), i love the club.

“I have enjoyed it, but not really had time to think about it. Everything has happened so quickly. I am going to keep enjoying it for as long as I am doing it.

“It would be nice (to get the job permanently), just as long as we are asked,” said the 38-year-old.

“We just need to keep doing the job, giving my best, working with the players and nothing has changed. Just probably making different decisions, to what I was previously.

“In terms of work ethic and how I approach it, it’s the same as all the time I have been at the club.”