The Hearts board have explained their reasonings for firing Robbie Neilson as Hearts boss after Steven Naismith was instated as their interim gaffer.
Their 'B' team manager, the former striker will step up to become caretaker after the Tynecastle board acted fast to try and save their third place ambitions, which would come with European group stage football for another campaign. Hearts have lost their last five on the bounce and are in fourth place, with a 2-0 defeat to St Mirren at Tynecastle on Saturday enough for them to pull the trigger ahead of Saturday's derby away at Hibs.
And in a statement, it's said Neilson was dismissed because recent results were nowhere near the standard expected, although CEO Andrew McKinlay admits it was no easy decision. He said: "On behalf of Heart of Midlothian Football Club’s Board of Directors, I’d like to provide clarity on the events of the past couple of days and offer an update on the short-term future of the managerial position.
