‘Dictator’ Levein wanted robots

He’s not about to start off it.

In an explosive chat with SunSport the player-turned-pundit lifts the lid on his rollercoaster relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

He also explains the circumstances surrounding the player revolt that rocked John Collins’ reign at Hibs and explains what prompted him to snub an SPL comeback for a tilt at TV.

But perhaps his harshest verdict is saved for former gaffer Craig Levein, who he played under at Hearts during a brief loan stint from United that ended on a sour note.

The boyhood Jambo said: “I’ve always worked best with managers who are open, like Sir Alex Ferguson, Tony Mowbray and Csaba Laszlo.

“You could talk to them and they’d make you feel like you were in an inclusive environment.

“Craig Levein was the opposite. He’s just a dictator who only wants robots and that’s shown in the teams he produces.

“At United I told my agent I wanted him to set up a move to Hearts, and I didn’t care about the money as they didn’t have any!

“I took a hit because I wanted to go there but unfortunately I had issues with Levein, who is not a particularly nice individual. I’d say he’s sleekit.

“One episode sticks out. I played in a European game and got man of the match and a few days later I went to see him.

“He went nuts and said ‘What are you even doing here? You’ve done sod all for me and I have got guys in that dressing room who have grafted their b***s off’.

“I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about but said I was used to dealing with managers with all types of approaches and that he should just tell me what he wanted.

“He said he didn’t hold grudges and the next day we were playing Hibs at Tynecastle.

“He rattled through the team announcement, but he made a show of pausing at the two central midfielders — Paddy Kisnorbo and Paul Hartley — and said that he would be working with those two over the next few months.

“Then Peter Houston listed the substitutes — and I wasn’t even on the bench.”

Stewart points to a recent game of golf with Collins as proof that he is not the type to bear a grudge.

The same can’t be said of Levein.

Stewart admits he is still bewildered at the treatment he feels was dished out unfairly by renowned disciplinarian Levein and there’s little chance of the relationship being repaired now.

Stewart added: “I didn’t do a things to him but he always had an issue with me, to the extent that we were at a wedding 18 months ago and he didn’t even say ‘hello’ to me despite us standing just yards apart.

“For me, that’s just pure ignorance.

“A lot went on between me and John Collins, for example, but I played golf with him last week.

“I’ve more respect for people like that who can at least be civil with you.”