Neilson reaffirms stance that Hearts are not a selling club

ROBBIE NEILSON hopes Hearts’ form attracts more admirers of his prize assets, but he has warned them to expect short shrift as the Jambos are “not a selling club”.

The Tynecastle outfit criticised Blackpool and their new manager, Mick McCarthy, in a statement on Thursday evening for what they described as comments that “besmirched” the good name of the club and misrepresented the English club’s failed bid for defender Toby Sibbick.

Neilson is adamant that Sibbick is a key component of his side and, like the club’s other star performers, would only be sold if it becomes impossible to turn down a lucrative offer.

“Toby is a Hearts player and he will continue to be that hopefully for a long time,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s encounter with Livingston. “I see him as a valued member of the squad.

“We always had confidence in him but at the start of the season he was probably not playing to the level he wanted to. But he has shown the reason we brought him here and long may that continue.

“For me, we are not a selling club and we don’t need to sell players. Unless someone comes in with a bid we can’t knock back then they will stay with us.

“I would prefer people to be talking about our players than no- one talking about them. It shows the level we are at and how we are doing.

“I hope there is more interest in our players in the coming days but we stand strong and knock them back. Then in the summer, [ I hope] there is more interest and we do the same again.

“We had the same situation with John Souttar last season with Rangers and we kept him to the Scottish Cup final. Unless we feel it is time for him to go or the bid is too big they will stay here. It shows how strong a position we are in right now. I don’t see Toby going anywhere.”