NEGATIVE NOISE
Focused Levein is turning a deaf ear to critics
CRAIG LEVEIN says he feared Hearts had actually finished bottom of their Betfred Cup group, such was the negative ‘noise’ surrounding their underwhelming progress into the last 16.
The Tynecastle boss has acknowledged the discontent among some fans, following a penalty-kick defeat against East Fife last weekend.
That came hot on the heels of unspectacular wins over League Two sides Stenhousemuir and Cowdenbeath and a draw against Dundee United, with the Gorgie outfit prevailing on penalties on that occasion.
Those results were enough to see Hearts top their section, but did little to imbue the fanbase with any optimism.
However, as he reeled off his summer signings yesterday — of which marquee arrival Steven Naismith is the most recent — Levein is adamant the team are in a stronger position than they were 12 months ago and has predicted a bright future.
‘I do feel good about the squad,’ said Levein. ‘I know there is a lot of noise. I actually thought we’d finished bottom of the (Betfred) group. I had to check to see what was going on. I thought my arithmetic had gone awry.
‘The idea in the Betfred Cup games was to finish top. We wanted to do that in more style and score more goals, which we didn’t, but it’s done.
‘We can kick on from here and, hopefully, get a good start at Aberdeen. I do feel we are in a stronger position than last year.’
That is quite an assertion given
Hearts started the 2018-19 campaign with a seven-game unbeaten run in the Premiership, prompting some Hearts fans to dream of an outlandish title charge before their momentum was derailed by a swathe of injuries.
‘Knowing what happened at the start of last season, I’m not saying we will emulate that or better it,’ added Levein.
‘But I feel comfortable bringing Jamie Walker back. He has been improving all the time. We have Conor Washington, Craig Halkett. Jake Mulraney has signed a new deal and so have Michael Smith, John Souttar, Uche Ikpeazu, Peter Haring and Christophe Berra.’
The completion of Naismith’s protracted move to Hearts is sure to lift spirits around Tynecastle, with Levein effusive in his praise for the Scotland striker as a player and a character. He believes Naismith’s drive, professionalism and inspirational qualities are akin to former national-team captain Darren Fletcher, who he worked with during his ultimately ill-fated stint in the Hampden hot-seat.
‘I managed Naisy at Scotland as well and I found him and Darren Fletcher, in particular, to be really focused, professional and wellmannered people,’ said Levein. Handing a four-year contract to a 32-year-old Naismith may have raised a few eyebrows but, having seen the impact made by Aaron Hughes and Steven MacLean — both over 35 years of age when they joined Hearts — he has no fears about this ‘pup’ seeing out the deal.
And he believes Naismith will set the bar for every player at the club for the forseeable future.
‘He’s a culture-setter and an example to other players,’ said the manager. ANN BUDGE has confirmed that she will remain Hearts’ chair until at least 2021 to oversee the club’s transition to fan ownership.
The Foundation of Hearts will formally take control of the capital club next Spring, purchasing the 75.1 per cent stake which Budge bought to rescue the club from administration in the summer of 2014.
As part of a ‘Strategic Overview’ released last night, she wrote: ‘Becoming the largest majority fan-owned club in the UK will require a smooth transition.
‘I am fully committed to leading the club forward for a minimum of a further two years in order to provide both stability and continued growth and development so that we can continue to reach new heights.’
By GEORGE GRANT