Levein will not bow to pressure
CRAIG LEVEIN insists he is still the right man to turn things around at crisis-hit Hearts. The Tynecastle club are bottom of the Premiership after five games, despite one of the biggest wage budgets in the league. With just four wins in 2019 and no victories in their last 12 league games, Levein is under sustained pressure entering Sunday’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road. And
the bad news kept coming yesterday when Northern Ireland international striker Conor Washington was ruled out until Christmas with a hamstring injury. Despite a crippling casualty list and a wretched run of form, Levein insists he is not ready to quit and sees no need for owner Ann Budge to outline what is at stake this weekend. ‘I understand where we are. I don’t think Ann needs to explain to me the situation we are in,’ said the Hearts boss. ‘If I don’t think there is light at the end of the tunnel, or if I don’t think I am capable of turning things around, then I understand that. ‘But at this moment in time, that’s not how I feel. ‘The important thing for me is not to lose my composure and that I am there to help the players win on Sunday.’ The loss of summer signing Washington follows injuries to Joel Pereira, Michael Smith, John Souttar, Aidy White, Ben Garuccio, Peter Haring, Jamie Walker, Callumn Morrison, Craig Wighton and talisman Steven Naismith. Washington was injured in the 3-2 home loss to Motherwell last Saturday and that was the last thing Levein needs before a derby in which Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom is also under huge scrutiny. But Levein, also director of football at Hearts, says an away game with low expectations could potentially benefit his team. ‘The pressure is different,’ he said. ‘Our recent matches have been at home where we are expected to have more of the ball and maybe get three points. It is different being away from home.’ Levein also extended his best wishes to Hearts legend Jim Jefferies, who is recovering after suffering a heart attack on Monday. ‘I don’t have a lot of information,’ he said. ‘But all Hearts fans and the wider footballing family in Scotland will be wishing him well.’