PICK ME UP
Jambos snub protest to lift trophy
Robbie Neilson reckons Hearts were right to lift the league trophy yesterday against some fans’ wishes.
Jambos supporters wanted players to protest against the club’s relegation by refusing to pick up the silverware in front of SPL chief Neil Doncaster.
But boss Neilson, who saw Gary Mackay-Steven and Aaron McEneff crush Caley Thistle, said: “We had a lot of discussions with the board, players and staff during the week.
“We understand the frustrations of the fans who didn’t want us to lift it but also there was a group of fans who wanted us to lift it. We just felt as a group we had to respect the trophy and the competition of the league.”
Skipper Steven Naismith added:
“On the football side it was very good and it was probably a marker of where we need to be.”
Hearts fans have been waiting for Mackay-Steven to burst into life since signing in January and he did just that for the opening goal. He burst away from Scott Allan with his first touch before drilling low past Mark Ridgers.
The champions doubled their advantage when Liam Boyce ran in behind before reversing the ball back to the arriving McEneff. His strike may have taken a slight deflection but it nestled in the net.
It was 3- 0 on the half-hour. Danny Devine hesisted, Mackay- Steven nipped in and the defender played the ball off him then into the net.
Caley caretaker Neil McCann was sent to the stand for a bust-up with former Jambos team-mate Neilson as his side missed out on the play-offs.
He said: “I don’t particularly take defeat well. It’s just pure frustration. I came in here to do a job for the club and I take it personally.
“It’s not just on the team, it’s on me as well. I probably let my emotions get too much. I lost my cool.”