‘Hearts gaffer Levein has full support of players’

CRAIG Halkett insists Hearts players are fully behind manager Craig Levein despite the criticism he has received following their slow start to the season.

Levein’s men find themselves 11th in the Ladbrokes Premiership table after picking up just two points from their first four league games of the new campaign.

Some fans have reacted by calling for Levein to quit but defender Halkett, who moved to Tynecastle from Livingston in the summer, says the boss has the backing of the squad.

“With the results, we’ve been close to getting the three points and it’s been maybe one or two wee mistakes that have cost us,” said Halkett.

“I think as a squad and as a player myself, we’re all behind the manager and we don’t think that there’s any pressure there just now.

“We’re just four games in and I know as fans it’s disappointing, you want to see your team winning every game. But I think as players and the coaching staff, we know where we’re going wrong and how to rectify that going forward.”

Halkett thinks the international break came at a good time for the club as they prepare to resume their campaign against Motherwell at the weekend.

“Training-wise and as a squad, we’ve done well,” he added. “We’ve worked on quite a few things defensively and going forward, so we’re just looking forward to the game on Saturday.

“Obviously, the results have not been great, so I think it came at a good time for us.

“Just to get a break from the league and regroup as players and as a squad and management to work on what we’re doing going forward.”

Ayr United manager Ian McCall.