Neilson: I was 'rested'

Hearts defender Robbie Neilson has added to the confusion surrounding team selection for the 1-1 draw at Dundee United last week by claiming he was “rested” by head coach Graham Rix.

Rix reportedly told the players before the trip to Tayside in the Bank of Scotland Premier League that he was not picking the team.

The Jambos made six changes at Tannadice – with previously ever-present Neilson and Scotland defender Andy Webster missing out – prompting skipper Steven Pressley to seek a meeting with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov on behalf of the squad.

Rix subsequently claimed he had picked the side for the visit of Aberdeen on Saturday and the four changes in the team included the return of Neilson and Webster.

After their 2-1 defeat by the Dons, the club issued a statement saying the meeting with the players’ delegation and Romanov had been “positive”.

However, Neilson did not acknowledge the Lithuanian’s alleged involvement ahead of the United match, telling Hearts World: “I have played in all the games this season and maybe it was time for me to have a rest.

“I could see the gaffer’s point of view. I thought it was an important game and to miss out was disappointing, but I made an appearance and I enjoyed the game when I came on.

“It was nice to hear the supporters shouting my name, but I would rather have been on the park. I was happy to be back in the team on Saturday and, hopefully, I can stay in the team until the end of the season.”

But the 25-year-old believes the meeting with Romanov will allow the players to focus on maintaining their title challenge.

Neilson added: “It is good to get everything cleared up and have stability at the club. We can then concentrate on our football, and hopefully we can get back to making headlines for the right reasons.

“I am sure we’ll have some sort of get-together to find out what happened. Elvis (Pressley) will have a meeting and will explain where we go from here.”

Despite the turmoil which continues to engulf Tynecastle, Neilson has no regrets about recently signing a new three-and-half-year contract.

He said: “Not at all. These things happen in football. You are not going to go through your whole time at a club playing every week. I was delighted to sign and I am looking forward to concentrating on my football.”