Hearts coach Robbie Neilson says Craig Levein does not have say in team selection

Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has dismissed suggestions that director of football Craig Levein has a say in his team selections.

Former Hearts skippers Michael Stewart and Gary Mackay had raised concerns over Levein's role.

In his Scottish Sun column, Stewart suggested Neilson was picking the team, while Mackay claimed the Jambos were following a more robust approach, similar to the one Levein preferred during his stints in charge of Hearts, Leicester and Scotland.

However, Neilson rubbished those suggestions, insisting he is the man who makes the big football decisions.

"It's my team. I pick the tactics and the team selection. The recruitment is down to me as well," he said.

"Ultimately if the team is not performing, it comes back to me. It's got no reflection on the rest of the club.

"Those comments are disappointing but that's the way it goes. We've had two fantastic seasons and this has never been brought up. But once we get a couple of bad results, this is what gets thrown at us.

"For me it's part and parcel of being at a football club. There are always going to be people criticising. My role as head coach is to take full control of the first team and that's what I do."

Neilson also stated he is happy with his partnership with the former Scotland boss and believes the scepticism over Levein's role is due to the uncertainty among supporters and pundits about what his job entails.

"I have a fantastic relationship with Craig," said Neilson, whose side are hoping to end a five-game winless run on Saturday when they face Inverness

"We've moved with the times but I think the director of football role is one people in Scotland look at and wonder what goes on.

"Craig's role is to be a soundboard for me to speak to. I'll go and give him my thoughts and he'll give me his. But ultimately it is down to my decision.

"As a first-team coach, you have to have full autonomy of tactics, of players coming in and who you pick in the team.

"The way it's working it's going well, as it has done the last two years, and I expect it to continue to flourish."