Neilson: Fans are right to be angry
HEARTS head coach Robbie Neilson is adamant irate fans are within their rights to boycott away fixtures following a bitter battle with the SPFL and several of their Championship rivals.
However, the Tynecastle boss has stopped short of calling for the drastic action and admits he would prefer his side to be supported on the road next term.
Hearts and Partick Thistle failed in their bid to have their respective relegations overturned on Monday when an Scottish FA arbitration panel ruled in favour of the governing body.
It has left a sour taste for many among the Hearts faithful and, as well as venting their fury at the SPFL, a swathe of fans have expressed a reluctance to visit the likes of Dundee, Raith Rovers and Dunfermline following several incidences of acrimony involving those clubs.
Addressing that suggestion for the first time, Neilson said: “I can totally understand the frustration and annoyance of everybody – the anger and the hurt. It [boycotting] is a decision the fans will need to make themselves. We’ll be desperate for the support and we’ll hopefully be able to get it in the home games, but I can totally understand their annoyance at the way things went.
“It just depends on how they feel and everyone will make their own decision on it. There will be fans that are desperate to come and watch us, which we’d like.
“But there will be fans who will still harbour that anger, which is understandable.”