Robbie Neilson cool on link with Aston Villa

THE bookies have added Robbie Neilson to the list of men linked with the vacant Aston Villa job and Hearts defender Juwon Oshaniwa is not surprised, but the man himself is focused solely on this afternoon’s trip to Maryhill to face Partick Thistle.

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson. Picture: SNS

“These things happen in football when somebody moves on and I think it’s testament to the club and the players as opposed to myself that the club is doing so well,” said Neilson. “At the end of the day, the players do it on the pitch. There is still a long way to go here and I want to be part of it.

“There is no point paying any attention to it. It’s just the bookies’ odds, it doesn’t mean anything. I want to stay here and that is all that matters. It has been great so far but there is still a long way to go with this club.”

The fact he is being linked with vacancies in the English top flight suggests people are taking notice of the club’s upward trajectory since he took the reins. and his players are not shocked to learn he is being linked with a move south. “Even before my arrival, I read a lot about Hearts since he took over,” said Oshaniwa. “He’s young, ambitious and always wants you to give everything. Such passion will always attain a greater height.

“His philosophy, everything is perfect. I’m not surprised he is being linked with other clubs.

“To be a sound gaffer, it’s not about on the pitch alone. You need to have a good relationship with the players. He knows how to talk to us, he probably knows what every one of us wants, what are our dos and don’ts.”