Hearts’ new first team coach Robbie Neilson has quashed media reports that Craig Levein will be picking the team next season.
The 33 year old former Hearts’ left back broke the news at a packed press conference in the Bobby Walker Suite at Tynecastle Stadium.
Sitting alongside Ann Budge and Levein, Neilson said: “I will pick the team. When Craig spoke to me the other night that was one of the things I asked about and I was assured that I would pick the team which is the reason that I am sitting here. It’s my job to train the players during the week and to assess them.”
The main line of questioning focussed on the reasons for releasing the three experienced players who had taken a wage cut and performed well throughout the season; Jamie MacDonald, Jamie Hamill and Ryan Stevenson, but Levein insisted that although it was unfair on those involved, they would be replaced by better players.
Neilson continued: “There are obviously quite a few positions that we are looking to bring in including goalkeeper, goalkeeper coach, centre half, midfielders and attackers so there will be a lot of movement in the coming weeks so we will be targeting players and be assured we will be bringing in quality players as soon as we can.
“Craig and I will speak and contact players and take it from there.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
