NO BUDDIE WILL LIKE IT IF I WIN

ROBBIE NEILSON wants to spark a family fall-out today by leading Hearts to victory against his former boyhood favourites.

The Tynecastle full-back was born in Paisley and most of his relatives still live in the town and support St Mirren.

But Neilson won't let that stand in the way of Hearts' bid to take three points this afternoon.

He said: "I was born and brought up in Paisley and my old man, Ian, is a Buddie though he hasn't seen them for a wee while as he comes and watches me play these days.

"A few of my uncles are fans -one's a real diehard - and they took me along to a few games when I was a kid. I even went to the Scottish Cup Final with my dad in 1987 but I was only seven and can hardly remember anything about the day.

"Let's just say I'll be keeping my phone switched off after the game. St Mirren have done really well in the SPL so far, including winning their first two games.

"The promoted teams generally come up without any fear and play with great confidence. A flying start tends to mean they won't be fighting relegation.

"Saints may have hit a weelull after their great start, but they'll be up for it after the international break and will shape up well against us."

Neilson, 26, returned home in the small hours of Thursday morning following Scotland's 2-1 defeat of Lithuania. The defender didn't play in either of Walter Smith's side's Euro Championship qualifiers to date but admits he was proud to be part of the squad.

But Neilson says the Scots in the Hearts team haven't been boasting too much about the result to their Lithuanian club-mates in case the tables are turned in the return game at Hampden next year.

He said: "We've not said much - the Lithuanians in the squad are fairly quiet lads anyway. Besides, you never know what will happen in the return match.

"I was disappointed not to be involved in either of our games but I still enjoyed my time with the squad.

"It's nice to get away and experience a different set-up, training and facilities.

"I accept I have to bide my time because there are a lot of good, experienced players in front of me at the moment.

"But there will always be injuries and suspensions and in asquad of only 23 players you've got to be ready to step in.

"The only way I'll continue to be part of the Scotland squad is if I'm doing well for Hearts and we're entering an important stage of the season.

"After St Mirren we play Sparta Prague and then face four games away from home, so we must be well prepared."

Taken from the Daily Record