Neilson is picking the team, insists Levein

HEARTS director of football Craig Levein insists head coach Robbie Neilson has full control over first-team affairs at Tynecastle.

Levein’s role has come under scrutiny in the last week after one-time Hearts midfielders Michael Stewart and Gary Mackay both questioned the extent of his influence behind the scenes.

Neilson has already dismissed their concerns and former Hearts manager Levein insists his influence does not stretch beyond his remit.

In a question and answer session carried out with fans just before Mackay and Stewart spoke out, Levein said: ‘There’s no point in having Robbie in that role unless we actually let him manage, set out the team in the way that he wants to and then learn from the successes and the mistakes.

‘Robbie is the head coach, he makes the decisions and he’s done a fantastic job in two seasons. Robbie is responsible for the players that come to the club.’