NEILSON FACTFILE

1980: Born June 19, Paisley. 1996: Joins Hearts after being at Rangers as a kid.

Loaned out to Cowdenbeath and makes pro debut in December in a 2-0 defeat to Queen’s Park.

Makes Hearts debut in a 2-0 win against Dunfermline and makes 23 appearances that season, including a UEFA Cup clash against Stuttgart.

Joins Queen of the South on loan and helps them win the Challenge Cup.

Nets his first goal for Hearts in a last-gasp 2-1 win in Basel in the UEFA Cup.

Wins the Scottish Cup with Hearts after beating Gretna on penalties. Earns his only Scotland cap in a 2-0 defeat in Ukraine. Awarded testimonial. Named Hearts captain but after failing to agree on a new deal, leaves to join Leicester City in the Championship. He made 249 appearances for Hearts.

Signs for Dundee United under Peter Houston.

Joins Falkirk but plays just three times for them.

Ends career at East Fife as player-coach before becoming Hearts’ development manager. Named head coach. Leads a Hearts romp to the Championship title, finishing 21 points clear.

Newly-promoted Hearts finish third, despite protest by fans who hired a plane displaying the banner ‘No style, no bottle, Neilson out’. Leaves in November to join MK Dons. In 106 games in charge, Hearts won 62.

After a run of one win in 11, leaves MK Dons by mutual consent with a record of 26 wins in 66. Appointed Dundee United manager.

Guides United to a play-off final spot but is defeated by St Mirren.

United easily win the Championship but promotion is in doubt because of a legal challenge by Hearts. Quits Tannadice, having won 40 of his 70 matches, to make shock return to Tynecastle.

‘Neilson’s away back to the Jambos and will still be managing in the Championship – or will he? What does he know we don’t?’