ROBERTSON RECALLS AXE FROM HEARTS

SAYS JOHN ROBERTSON

ONLY a Hearts legend like John Robertson could truly understand the great burden of expectation that is weighing on Tynecastle boss Craig Levein as he seeks to deliver the first trophy of the Ann Budge era.

The club’s all-time leading scorer finds himself standing between Levein and the realisation of that dream in Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.

Robertson, who is preparing his Inverness Caledonian Thistle side for what he hopes will be a giant-killing against the team he once served with such distinction, was at pains to point out that he believes there is no imminent threat to his close friend’s job despite an upswell of unhappiness among the Gorgie faithful.

But he also drew an eerie parallel between Levein’s current season and the backdrop to his own dismissal as Hearts boss 14 years ago under notorious Lithuanian chairman Vladimir Romanov.

Back then, Robertson, like Levein this year, had guided Hearts to two national cup semifinals, while his team languished as also-rans in the lower reaches of the top six.

‘Craig will be hurting,’ said Robertson. ‘He is probably not be where he wants to be in the league, but they have reached the semifinal of the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

‘The same happened 14 years ago. They finished fifth and the manager got sacked. I know that because it was me.

‘But I don’t think he’s under any pressure whatsoever. He will ride out the storm and regroup in the summer, bringing in new players, whatever happens on Saturday. There’s nothing I see in Craig’s mannerisms that suggests to me he is not going to be there next year.’

As the club’s record scorer, Robertson is entwined in Tynecastle folklore — just like his rival this weekend.

Without having discussed it directly, he has an instinctive feel for his former team-mate’s needs and desires for the club.

And for how desperately Levein will want to win silverware for the first time in his near 40-year career as both player and manager.

‘I know how much it would mean to Craig to lead Hearts into a cup final and to win the Cup with Hearts,’ said Robertson. ‘I have to try and stop him because I want to win it with Inverness.

‘If there is the one thing missing from Craig’s CV, playing football — where he was cruelly robbed by injury — and as manager, it is that lack of a trophy.

‘That doesn’t mean he is a bad manager because he isn’t. He has been the Scotland boss and managed clubs in Scotland and England, but he will feel unfulfilled if he doesn’t win something. He will see Saturday, against us — a Championship team in the last four — as a wonderful opportunity.’

Robertson knows that the yearning for success at his old club is not easily sated. Equally, though, he believes that few, if any, comprehend the club’s needs better than Levein.

‘Craig understands better than most people, myself included,’ continued Robertson. ‘It’s not pressure. Craig will tell you, he’s not under pressure. He has to deal with the expectation levels of the Hearts fans.

‘The club was in administration two short years ago. They have a brilliant new owner who has come in, put a lot of money into the club and the fans themselves have put lots of money in — millions of pounds — and deserve all the credit in the world for that.

‘In my eyes, they are the third biggest club in Scotland with, potentially, the third biggest budget, but the fans have to trust the people in charge to get on with the job. In the fans’ eyes, have they made the progress they expected? Probably not. They probably expected higher finishes in the league, better runs in cups and cup finals.

‘They would probably have expected a trophy by now. Craig knows and understands that. He’s very focused in his way and in what he wants to do.

‘Any manager knows, if you get a run of perceived bad results, you will come under so-called pressure in the media spotlight. Craig can deal with that — and he’ll deal with it in his own unique style and manner.

‘Trust me, it will be annoying him because of his own high standards. Will he lose any sleep over it? I don’t think so, knowing Craig. He’s a resilient character, very resolute. He will be desperate to get it right.

‘Hearts could finish sixth in the league this year or they could finish fifth, but all that can be erased by winning the Cup. He will see us as a very achievable victory to get to the final and then he’ll take his chances against Celtic or Aberdeen, both of whom they have beaten.

‘There will always be people who don’t fancy Craig’s style, but there will be plenty who do. He’s one of the strongest characters I know. I don’t think he’ll be losing any sleep over it. He’ll be able to deal with it.

‘If results are not what the fans expect, he’s going to come under scrutiny. Is Ann Budge looking at something like that? I don’t think so. I think Ann has shown the loyalty all managers crave and hope for.

‘She knows what Craig has done as director of football and what he’s doing now as manager. I don’t think he’s under any pressure from Ann Budge.

‘But Craig will put himself under pressure by his standards and what he wants to achieve — and he’ll be hurting.’

If there’s one thing wrong with Craig’s CV, it’s that lack of a trophy