Neilson eyes quick return on Budge’s two-year financial plan
ROBBIE NEILSON last night revealed that Hearts’ new owner Ann Budge has given the club two years to return to the Premiership.
Neilson believes Hearts can get back to the top flight at the first attempt, but appreciates the breathing space afforded in the club’s financial plan following the relegation of Hibs, a development that sets up a three-way title fight between the capital clubs and Rangers.
He said: ‘We’d like to get promoted. We don’t want to get carried away and say we’re going to win it. Ann has a two-year plan to get there, so there’s not a financial need to get out next year, but we want to.’
Upon completion of the Budge takeover that will see the club exit administration, Neilson was appointed head coach by the club’s new director of football Craig Levein.
The release of several members of an already threadbare squad has given rise to a need to recruit for next term and Neilson is actively trying to bring in new players.
Rarely spotted without a phone in his right hand during a coaching course at Largs this past week, the 33-year-old is finding the process arduous.
‘It’s about taking responsibility,’ he said. ‘It’s easy to go through your career saying: “He’s a good player” but then when it comes to making a decision, a commitment to bringing a guy in for three years and taking a chunk out of the budget, you need to be right.
‘I’ve been doing a lot of work speaking to people who know the targets, finding out what type of
person they are, trying to do background on them.
‘We need to know about character and attitude. It’s important to get the right ones because we can’t waste money.’
The influence of Levein in this area is crucial and it has been no surprise to see Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben, two of the midfield generals from his time at Dundee United, linked with Hearts.
Goalkeepers Craig Gordon and Neil Alexander have also been touted, along with St Mirren defender Darren McGregor as Neilson places an emphasis on experience and long-term thinking as the recovery from insolvency and relegation begins.
‘We want guys to get us out of the Championship and back into the top six,’ continued Neilson. ‘We don’t want to be giving one-year deals to help get us up, then find ourselves having to get someone else.
‘That’s how we’re hoping to attract good players, by saying if they get us up they’ll have at least two years in the Premiership, too. It’s a long-term thing.’
With goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald and midfielder Jamie Hamill gone, as well as surrogate striker Ryan Stevenson also agreeing severance, Neilson’s priority is to strengthen the spine of his team.
‘I’d like three in now and that then gives us the opportunity to wait and add the right ones later,’ he explained.
‘There are players not on the market right now who will become available as time goes on.
‘Because we’re just coming out of administration, the issue we’ve had is that a few have agreed deals a month ago. Others we’re speaking to are gambling and waiting to see what else is out there.’
Neilson could, however, find himself considering a fresh offer from Dundee United for his captain Danny Wilson.
The Tynecastle side rejected an initial offer of £100,000 from United but did propose a deal which would have seen John Souttar move in the opposite direction.
United are unwilling to let Souttar leave and are instead plotting an improved bid.