Pressley backs Neilson and says calls for Hearts manager’s removal are over the top
Former Hearts captain Steven Pressley has claimed there has been an 'overreaction' to recent results as he launched a strong defence of under-pressure manager Robbie Neilson.
Fans of the Tynecastle club staged protests outside the ground following the 3-2 home defeat to Queen of the South on Saturday, which followed last week's humiliating Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Brora Rangers.
While acknowledging that the results are unacceptable, Pressley, who played alongside the current Hearts boss for seven seasons, says calls for Neilson's removal are over the top with the club 10 points clear in the Championship and on the brink of achieving promotion back to the top flight. "Robbie will completely understand that's not the standard that's expected at a club like Hearts, but also I certainly think there's been an overreaction. There's no doubt about that,” Pressley told Sky Sports.
Pressley also played down the fan unrest and insisted Neilson should be given time to fix the issues at the club.
"I saw the pictures it was 20 or 30 supporters out there. It wasn't significant numbers," he stressed. "We sometimes read social media and believe that is the opinion of all supporters - it's not. Sometimes [Neilson] must wake up in the morning and think we're 10 points clear and they're still wanting me out. It's an incredible scenario but he's a strong manager, he's a good person, he works exceptionally hard at that job, and there's no doubt he deserves time to turn that club around."