Hearts manager Robbie Neilson reveals thoughts on new assistants

Coaching staff at Riccarton is up for discussion

Robbie Neilson plans to look at Hearts' coaches before deciding on any changes.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson is in no rush to appoint any assistants and will assess the current Riccarton coaching staff first.

Neilson was assisted by Lee McCulloch and Gordon Forrest at former club Dundee United, who have named Micky Mellon as their new manager.

Whether McCulloch and Forrest now follow Neilson to Edinburgh remains to be seen. The 40-year-old explained that he wants to look at Hearts coaches Andy Kirk, Paul Gallacher, Liam Fox and John Rankin before making any decision.

Kirk and Gallacher are part of the first-team coaching staff – Kirk working with outfield players and Gallacher overseeing goalkeepers. They both signed new contracts just last month, while Fox and Rankin are in charge of the reserve squad.

“I've got a number of coaches here at Hearts so I'll be looking at them, then I'll make a decision over the next few weeks on whether I alter that or not,” said Neilson.

“I've got a good coaching staff at the moment at Hearts. I've a number of coaches so I'll need to assess them before I make a decision on whether to bring people in or not.

“I don't want to speak about other employees at other clubs. I had a great relationship with everyone up at United but at this moment in time I'm focused on the guys we've got at Hearts.”

Neilson confirmed that the final decision on the matter will be his, adding: “It's up to to me what I want to do.”

Hearts have already added the Scotland international goalkeeper Craig Gordon to their playing squad. Neilson stated he intends to recruit three to four new recruits over the coming weeks.

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