Michael Stewart believes the Hearts board have panicked under fan pressure when it comes to Robbie Neilson's sacking.
Debate has swirled over whether or not it was harsh to relieve the club legend of his duties. He has won many plaudits since returning to the Gorgie hotseat but has lost six of his last seven games, and the Tynecastle hierarchy have ejected him after a 2-0 loss to St Mirren left them fourth in the Premiership.
The ambition at Hearts is to finish third and retain that golden ticket of European group stage football, and a section of the fanbase wanted Neilson gone with those chances seemingly slimming down amid form in freefall. But Stewart tells the BBC that the now former boss should have had enough kudos to remain in post, and those in charge have collapsed under supporter discontent: "Nothing surprises me in football. Looking at what's gone on at the club before, I didn't think the board were inclined to pushing the panic button but that is certainly what they have done.
"It's fan pressure that has made them do it. A section of the fanbase have voiced their discontent and the board have buckled, crumbled under pressure.
"If you are trying to objectively look at the world of football, and results and what dictates a manager losing his job, what Robbie has done at the club should have had some credit in the bank. When you are seven games out from the end of the season, I would have thought he would have stayed until the end of the season and have an assessment then.
"Especially considering what's happened at the club and the length of time it's taken when it was quite clearly terrible performances and results with people who hadn't brought into third, won the Championship, who inherited decimated and low and turned it around pretty quickly. It's fan pressure.
"A large section of the support have never been big Robbie Neilson supporters and they have got what they want here. If I ever hear any of these supporters voice displeasure at a player who moves on from the club and talking about loyalty, the irony will not be lost on me."
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