Neilson – I couldn’t turn down chance to return to Tynecastle

Robbie Neilson insisted he wouldn’t have left Dundee United for anyone other than Hearts – then killed off Dundee’s hopes of signing Christophe Berra.

Neilson shocked Tangerines fans by taking charge at Tynecastle just weeks after leading United back to the Premiership.

As it stands, Neilson will be managing in the Championship next season, while the Tangerines will kick-off in the top flight on August 1.

And he insists his beloved Hearts – whom he served with distinction as a player and a head coach – are the only club he would have made that move for.

“It was a big decision for me and a difficult one too, to be honest with you, because I had a great relationship with everyone at United – the fans, the players, the staff,” he said.

“But, when I got that phone call, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to come back to Hearts.

“I’ve been here as a player, been here as a manager. I know what the club’s like and I know how far I can take the club because they’re in a position to really build and kick on.

“It was a tough one to leave Dundee United, having enjoyed a great experience there.

“But, when Hearts come calling, it’s very, very difficult to turn them down. We were building something at Tannadice, had a great 18 months and were building a great team.

“But I see the potential to build something here.

“Micky (Mellon) will be a great appointment for United, he’ll take the club forward. I’ve spoken to him a few times. The objective as a coach is to leave the club in a better place. I think I did that.”

In the aftermath of his move to Hearts, former United man Steven Pressley, who also played with Neilson at Tynecastle, suggested all was not well behind the scenes at Tannadice.

Pressley implied his former team-mate was unhappy with the lack of direct access to United owner Mark Ogren.

But asked whether he had any misgivings about the set-up at United, where sporting director Tony Asghar is the head coach’s main point of contact, Neilson said: “No, not at all. I had the same situation with a sporting director at Hearts.

“When anything moves in a football club and something comes out of the blue, the first relationship anyone looks at is the sporting director.

“But Tony and I had a great relationship. We worked well together and managed to get the team promoted – and I wish Tony all the best in the future.”

Meanwhile, Neilson suggested Berra – who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Dens last season – could have a key role to play at Tynecastle this season.

Neilson said: “He had issues (last season) but, for me, it’s a fresh start for everyone, to come back in in pre-season and try to get themselves back in the team.”

Robbie Neilson quit United post two weeks ago.