Things go from bad to worse for Levein
A COMPELLING case can be made that Craig Levein, the director of football, would have already sacked Craig Levein, the manager, if he were not, well, Craig Levein.
However, the embattled Tynecastle boss remains the embodiment of defiance in the face of mounting, increasingly volatile pressure.
Hearts owner and chair Ann Budge has repeatedly stated that Levein is not ‘bulletproof’ and following a defensively catastrophic 3-2 defeat against Motherwell, several hundred fans gathered outside the Main Stand to demand she proves it.
A banner reading ‘Levein Out’ was displayed, while the protest threatened to boil over as a handful of seething supporters attempted to storm the reception.
Howls of ‘sack the board’ were also prominent from those who believe Budge will not act.
The aftermath of this defeat was an escalation from the jeers and verbal attacks from the stands which have become common during their recent malaise. It had the feel of a point of no return.
Levein, however, remains in place and is steadfast in his belief that he is the man to address a slide which now sees Hearts bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
‘Do I feel my position is untenable? I don’t,’ he said. ‘I feel that I am more than capable of improving results.
‘The season has just started. We’re six points off fourth. I don’t consider that to be a huge problem for us.’
Hearts have now won just five of their last 24 league matches. When Levein and Budge made the decision to dispense with Ian Cathro, his record was the same tally of wins in 22 league matches.
Moreover, the fury being aimed at Levein has now superseded anything faced by Cathro.
‘It is part of the job. Supporters get frustrated that their team at home should be winning,’ added Levein. ‘They expect us to win all our games at home and I understand that level of expectation.
‘My focus is just on the game. I don’t try and listen to anything else. It’s not helpful.’
Similarly unhelpful, was allowing Motherwell to take the lead in simple fashion. Liam Polworth’s corner found the head of an unmarked Declan Gallagher and he made no mistake from six yards.
The jeers rained down in Gorgie once more.
Motherwell were inches away from doubling their advantage as Polworth curled an effort narrowly over the bar.
Again, the boos, this time louder. Hearts had to show their mettle.
However, it was Motherwell that passed up a wonderful opportunity on the cusp of half-time when a fine through ball from Allan Campbell sent Devante Cole through on goal, only for the onrushing Colin Doyle to make a pivotal save.
Liam Donnelly then rattled the crossbar. In his pre-match press conference, Levein had invited the natives to make their restlessness known if Hearts were not performing. They did so.
Motherwell extended their lead seven minutes into the second half. Uche Ikpeazu surrendered possession to Sherwin Seedorf as he sought to find Loic Damour and the Dutchman surged forward before unleashing a firecracker from 20 yards which crossed the line after crashing off the underside of the bar.
The introduction of Ryo Meshino injected some vim and vigour to proceedings and he was key to the hosts halving arrears. He collected a Damour pass, dribbled into the box and — although his low shot was saved by Mark Gillespie — Ikpeazu bundled home the rebound.
However, that was a false dawn. Sean Clare, switched to right-back, endured a miscommunication with Doyle as they both converged on a ball forward, allowing Jermaine Hylton to fire into an empty net from distance. Shambolic.
‘Sacked in the morning’ from the Motherwell fans mixed with ‘we want you to go’ from the Hearts supporters as Levein was barracked by all sides.
Next Sunday’s trip to a Hibernian side not far behind Hearts in terms of disarray and fan dissatisfaction has taken on the look of one of the most fraught, decisive Edinburgh derbies in recent times.
‘I speak to Ann regularly,’ noted Levein. ‘We talk about results and if results aren’t good, we look to improve. It is a normal conversation.’
As Hearts endure an early-season crisis, Motherwell were purring. This was their first triumph in Gorgie since January 2014 and a richly merited one, with boss Stephen Robinson reserving special praise for goalscorer Gallagher.
He said: ‘Declan must be close to Scotland reckoning if he keeps playing like that.
‘Steve Clarke has been to our games and he is well aware of him.’
HEARTS (4-4-2): Doyle; Brandon (Washington 64), Berra, Halkett, Hickey; Clare, Irving (Damour 51), Whelan, Mulraney; MacLean (Meshino 56), Ikpeazu. Subs (not used): Zlamal, Smith, Keena, Morrison. Booked: Halkett, Berra, Ikpeazu. MOTHERWELL (4-3-3): Gillespie; Grimshaw, Hartley, Gallagher, Carroll; Donnelly, Campbell, Polworth; Scott (O’Hara 78), Cole (Long 72), Seedorf (Hylton 65). Subs (not used): Carson, Tait, Maguire, Mugabi. Booked: Carroll, Donnelly, Seedorf. Referee: Euan Anderson. Attendance: 15,682.