Hearts Head Coach Robbie Neilson today angrily denied accusations from two former Hearts players that he does not have the final say on how his team plays. Former Jambo captains Michael Stewart and Gary Mackay have said they feel Hearts performances have deteriorated this season and the team is playing under the style wanted by Director of Football Craig Levein.
Levein was known for his cautious approach, particularly during his spell as Scotland manager and some fans feel Hearts disappointing results so far this season reflect this.
Neilson, however, dismissed the views of the former Hearts midfielders, one of whom has never managed a football club but has encouraged people to save money on their energy bills.
“It’s my team,” Neilson told BBC Scotland. “I pick the tactics, I pick the team selection, the recruitment is down to me as well, so ultimately if the team is not performing it comes back to me.”
“I have a fantastic working relationship with Levein and said the infrastructure at Tynecastle is all geared towards leading the club to success. Craig’s role is to be a soundboard for me. I will go and ask him what his thoughts are on things but ultimately it’s down to me to make a decision.
“It’s the way football is going at the moment.
“It’s a huge club and it’s part of football that we have to move with the times. Other people in Scotland might wonder what goes on but if you look down in England and Europe they have been doing this for 20 or 30 years.”
Hearts face Inverness Caledonian Thistle this Saturday at Tynecastle, kick-off 3.00pm.
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
