TALL ORDER FOR ROBBIE

Hearts' Robbie Neilson says the club must look forward and not dwell on the George Burley departure as they aim to maintain their lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

The defender will also not be looking over his shoulder for Ibrahim Tall now George Burley is no longer manager at Tynecastle.

Jambos' majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov was responsible for the signing of Senegalese full-back, Tall, just before the close of the transfer window in August.

The Lithuanian businessman also brought Samuel Almeida Camazzola, who Burley had never seen, to Edinburgh at the same time.

Burley left Hearts at the weekend with the club citing "irreconcilable differences" for his departure.

But the ex-Derby and Ipswich manager is believed to have been involved in a row with Romanov on Friday evening as their relationship disintegrated over team selection.

Tall had initially returned to his French club, Sochaux, after training with the Jambos, but was back at Hearts weeks later to complete a permanent deal.

Neilson, 25, had been a mainstay of Burley's team - at the expense of Tall - before the manager's shock departure before the win over Dunfermline on Saturday.

However, the Jambos' defender is refusing to panic now the former Scotland international is no longer in charge.

Neilson said: "These things happen and, whatever team you are in, there are always going to be boys coming in for your position.

"You just have to concentrate on your own game and, hopefully, your performances will keep you in the team.

"These last few months are probably the best I have played for Hearts and I've been enjoying it, which is half the battle.

"The team is playing well and I have good players around me which helps.

"I have worked under quite a few managers now, but the main thing in football is looking after yourself and making sure you are putting in 100%.

"I am getting a bit older and learning a bit more, so the manager's departure is not going to affect me."

But Neilson insists the team cannot afford to dwell on the loss of Burley as they aim to maintain their lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League table when Kilmarnock arrive at Tynecastle on Wednesday.

He added: "We can't be pessimistic - we have to be positive and use this as a stepping stone to go on to greater things.

"We have to prove ourselves again to a new manager and that will improve training again.

"Players will be fighting for their positions and that can only be good for the team.

"Hopefully, Mr Romanov can get a good manager in and we can kick on again."

Taken from sportinglife.com