Ross and Robinson in frame to replace Levein

Former Sunderland boss Jack Ross and Motherwell’s Stephen Robinson were among the early contenders to replace Craig Levein at Hearts.

Levein was sacked yesterday – a day after the club was beaten 1-0 by St Johnstone to leave them second bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Robinson has guided the Steelmen to two finals during his time in charge, while Ross previously had a coaching role at Tynecastle before going on to manage St Mirren and the Black Cats.

Ross was sacked by Sunderland last month with the club lying sixth in English League One.

Owner Ann Budge, who doubles up as chairman and chief executive, installed Levein as director of football when she took control in May 2014 in lieu of a fans’ takeover.

The former Dundee United manager was instrumental in the appointment of Robbie Neilson and Ian Cathro as the new regime’s first two head coaches, and returned to the Hearts dugout after the latter was sacked in August 2017, days before the Premiership season kicked off.

Hearts have since finished sixth twice, with a flying start to last season undermined by a string of injuries.

Levein has also been hit by a number of fitness blows this season and a summer recruitment drive to strengthen the depth of the squad has failed to compensate for the loss of players like Steven Naismith, John Souttar and Jamie Walker. Hearts have a record of one win in 11 league matches.

“Robinson has guided the Steelmen to two finals”