Rodgers annoyed us but we move on, says Levein
CRAIG LEVEIN admits he was ‘annoyed’ when Brendan Rodgers poked his nose into Hearts’ management structure following Ian Cathro’s sacking. But the Tynecastle manager insists he is willing to move on when Celtic visit for tomorrow’s TV clash. Rodgers received a public rollicking from Hearts’ then interim head coach Jon Daly in August after insisting the structure at the Gorgie club — with Levein as director of football — had led to a ‘confused’ recruitment policy. Daly branded those comments ‘disgusting and disgraceful’ and Levein, now combining the coaching and directorial jobs, is in no mood to apologise for the reaction. ‘Listen, I was annoyed — and I think Jon Daly was annoyed because it was nothing to do with him (Rodgers),’ said the Hearts manager. ‘We all were. I think Jon was annoyed and he is entitled to say how he feels. ‘As far as I am concerned, it was a while ago and there’s no point dwelling on things. It’s gone.’ Asked if he had spoken to Rodgers since, Levein said: ‘Exactly the opposite.’ Levein admits, meanwhile, that he frets about the safety of his ‘fearless’ Hearts kids ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership fixture. But he has backed the talent and enthusiasm of 16-year-olds Anthony McDonald and Harry Cochrane to shine through in the midst of a first-team injury crisis. Both youngsters have featured in topteam games this season, earning rave reviews for their ability on the ball. Yet the Hearts head coach, without Aaron Hughes, Arnaud Djoum, Jamie Walker, Krystian Nowak and the suspended John Souttar, confessed that the prospect of his schoolboys going toe-to-toe with Scotland skipper Scott Brown gives him cause for concern. ‘I worry,’ admitted Levein. ‘When they go in for a tackle, I wince. Harry got injured up at Ross County earlier in
the season, going in for a tackle that an experienced player wouldn’t go in for. They are just naive. ‘Harry is very competitive, he will go in for tackles and you’re like: “Woah …” I would rather have him that way. ‘Listen, I had Scott Brown when he was 14 at Cowdenbeath. I know Scott really, really well. He was a kid at one time as well. Everybody has to start somewhere. ‘And, if the situation arises where Harry or Ant play against Celtic, it’s another bit of experience that won’t go amiss. ‘As long as they don’t get hurt. That’s the way I view it.’ Stressing the positive aspects of their naivety, Levein added: ‘Yeah, they don’t care. Their game is all about taking the ball and passing it. ‘They have been involved in the academy system for three-and-a-half years. They have ben training with the first team since the summer. ‘It’s not like they have been pulled in from an academy that is nowhere near the first team and they have no relationship with anybody. We are all in the same building. They have been training with the first team since whenever pre-season started. ‘I know that, when it comes to their ability, they don’t look out of place. ‘For six months, they have been training with men in our environment. So I know their ability won’t let them down. ‘They can have an off day. They can be outmuscled, lose the ball in dangerous areas and put the team under threat, but it will be in the course of trying to do something positive. ‘Listen, the training is competitive. And they’re the cause of it most of the time! ‘They are playing too early in my opinion because of their physicality. I would wait another couple of years. ‘But they are so good on the ball — and they are fearless. If they are fearless, then I feel it is wrong of me not to be the same and give them an opportunity. ‘In an ideal world I wouldn’t (play them). But, with the problems I’ve got, I will have to consider it. I will wait until the last minute, see who is available and cobble something together.’