Move for Neilson may seem plane crazy but it works
NO STYLE. NO BOTTLE. NEILSON OUT.
It’s not often a plane is hired to fly a drunken text message across the sky above Tynecastle but that’s how it must feel to those Jambos who couldn’t resist hitting send back in March 2016.
The morning after cringe is worse than any hangover but at least Robbie Neilson is willing to forgive and forget.
He would have been entitled to tell Ann Budge where to go when the phone call came in at the weekend but he’s not the kind of guy to let a few halfwits put him off.
Hearts were third in the top flight when the propellers were fired up on that beauty – and sat second when Neilson hopped on the first train out of town to head to MK Dons soon after.
He could have been forgiven for giving a two-fingers salute instead of a wave but it’s not in his nature. He bleeds maroon and that’s what has dragged him back.
Fair play to Budge for having the gall to go for him. Slapping Dundee United with court papers one day, slapping them in the face by taking their manager the next, was the kind of ruthless bold move that you can only admire.
It took balls from Neilson to take it as well. He’s did a super job with United and smart money was on him making them top-half contenders.
To jump ship during all of this and rejoin a club who could be kicking off in a Championship at some point in Never Never Land with a budget left in tatters is a brave call.
Especially after the shameful way some
Jambos treated him last time around.
Hearts fans are a hardy lot. They have backed their club to the absolute hilt, in the stands and out of their pockets. Few clubs in the country have been through as much as this lot yet they still come back for more.
They’ve also learned to be patient – perhaps in the wake of the Robbie Plane nonsense.
Ian Cathro wouldn’t have made it beyond the front steps at some places.
Craig Levein ran on goodwill for six months more than most and even Daniel Stendel (has someone broke the news yet?) got an incredible amount of warmth despite doing little apart from beating Rangers.
There’s seems to be
Neilson bleeds maroon and that’s what dragged him back
an assumption if Budge’s court battle doesn’t come off and Hearts start in the second tier they will skoosh it.
Haud the bus. This Jambos squad didn’t have the stomach to get off the foot of the Premiership, let’s not assume they’ll be getting the sleeves rolled up in the Championship.
Neilson needs time to be able to undo the mess and get his own stamp on the place. Lift might not be as comfortable at first at Tynecastle but if Hearts fans can cool their jets, he’ll have them flying again soon.