Neilson calls for more protection for flair players
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson watched his side rack up their sixth successive win but bemoaned the lack of protection for his players from referee Gavin Duncan.
Two of his players were the victim of flailing elbows, with winger Gary Mackay-steven coming in for more rough treatment than any other player.
Neilson wants officials to do more to punish players who respond to foul tactics in order to snuff out the threat from gifted individuals.
“I wasn’t happy with the tackle in the first minute and the fourth official was just a couple of yards away,” he said.
“I don’t like to see my flair players getting smashed and that’s what happened. It was a similar situation when he got injured in the second half and I was shown a yellow card (for complaining).
“I know this is Scottish football but the only way to stop Gary Mackaysteven can’t be to smash him. I don’t want to say too much but if that’s the way the referee wants to (control) the match then so be it.“
Neilson is happy with the progress his side has made thus far but he refuses to get carried away by their early success.
“I’ve been pleased with the start to the season but I keep emphasising to the players that it’s only a start,” he said. “We’ve had a really good League Cup campaign, which allows us to go to Celtic Park next Sunday.
“We’ve now had two good results in the league and I said to the boys before the game that we haven’t won here since 2010. That shows it’s a very difficult place to come to and get the three points. I’m delighted we managed to do that.
“I’ve watched a lot of St Mirren. They’re a strong team and they have a lot of cohesion as they have kept most of their best players for the last couple of years.
“They all know each other’s game and cause you a lot of problems as they have physicality and pace up front. We knew there would be times when they would have the ball and we would need to press them.
“I thought our back three stood up to them very well.”
Neilson also praised striker Liam Boyce, whose goal and assist earned the three points.
“Liam does a great job,” he said. “We started him up front and then moved him into the 10 and then midfield before bringing him off. He’s very adaptable and no matter where you play him he takes the ball and picks up good pockets.
“I thought Andy Halliday also did. It was a great finish and the position he took up was great. We asked him to come in from wide and he managed to do that.”