SHUT THAT DOUR
As Levein wisecracks his way around Scottish game, Neilson insists he has always been a joker but just masked it well
ROBBIE NEILSON reckons Hearts boss Craig Levein has gone from consummate poker player to being a joker in the pack.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, Hoops skipper Scott Brown and Hibs manager Neil Lennon have all been subjects of Levein’s scorn this season.
The trio have felt the ferocity and force of Levein’s barbed comments and wit at some stage during the campaign with verbal spats aplenty.
Neilson struck up a close friendship with Levein during his spells with the Gorgie men as player and head coach.
The former Hearts defender admits he has not been surprised by the so-called transformation in his managerial mentor.
In fact, Neilson insists Levein’s humorous side has always been there but just lay dormant for years when was wrongly perceived as being dour.
And Neilson, who was back at Tynecastle on Wednesday night for the first time since leaving to join MK Dons, is loving it. He believes Levein has added some extra entertainment to Scottish football.
He said: “Craig has always been very sharp. He used to keep his cards close to his chest but now he is coming away with all sorts of statements and that is great for Scottish football. “It is entertaining and that is what people want to hear. He is a very experienced manager now. “Craig has also been the national coach, has managed in England and has occupied the role as director of football. “He has nothing to prove to anybody. Craig is now in a position where he can get his quotes and message out there. “But the humour has always been there. When he was younger he was maybe just more guarded in what he said. “When you are the Scotland manager you need to be a bit more careful as you are representing
the whole country. Craig may have been more neutral in his views back then but he is certainly not now.
“He is very comfortable in his own skin and he has been at Tynecastle for a number of years as a player and manager. It is great Craig feels he can speak his mind.
“I knew Craig was like that anyway as I got really close to him during my time at Hearts. He possesses a great sense of humour and is a clever guy.
“Craig will have been fully aware of what he has been saying this season to various parties.
“From that point of view it has been highly entertaining and long may it continue.”
Neilson watched on as Levein had the last laugh on Lennon when Hearts defeated Hibs 2-1 at Tynecastle on Wednesday to shatter their dreams of finishing runners-up in the Premiership.
It was the 37 year-old’s first visit back to the revamped Tynecastle since he left the club in December 2016 to take up the managerial reins at MK Dons.
Goals by Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith sandwiched between a Florian Kamberi penalty gave the men in maroon a crucial win.
Despite 17 points separating the sides, Levein’s men at least gained the Edinburgh bragging rights over the summer in another pulsating and frenetic derby.
However, the man who guided Hearts to the Championship title in 2013-14 reckons the Jambos need to do all they can in the coming weeks to ensure a return ticket to Gorgie for former Rangers and Scotland star Naismith who is due to return to parent club Norwich.
Neilson said: “If Hearts can secure Naismith on another deal then that would be a significant and terrific piece of business for them. Hearts have not seen the best of Naismith. He wasn’t playing at Norwich and he got the platform at Hearts to show what he can do.
“If the club can bring him back and get a good pre-season out of him then he is still at a good age and has a lot to offer.
“Any Premiership club would take Naismith. Like everything else it will all come down to the player’s financial and contractual situation at Norwich but they are in the driving seat. I am sure Hearts will be trying to negotiate some sort of deal.”
Meanwhile, Neilson hopes Lennon does not carry out his threat to quit the Easter Road side after revealing he was considering walking away after the derby loss.
Neilson said: “When the game finishes it is very frustrating for managers at times and there may be knee-jerk reactions. I’m sure Neil will contemplate what he said in the next few days. “When he reflects on the season he will realise Hibs have just come up from the Championship and have taken the race for the Premiership runners-up spot down to the second-last game of the campaign. “That represents a great season for Hibs. I would not want to see Neil leave the club. “He will be devastated at the way the campaign has ended as finishing second will have been his sole focus since August. Neil is still a very good manager and I want him to stay at Hibs.”
Craig is an experienced manager now ... He has nothing to prove to anyone ROBBIE NEILSON