Former Jambos hero Ryan Stevenson has launched a scathing attack on Heart of Midlothian, accusing the club of sleepwalking towards a disastrous season after losing key figures to Rangers.
Loss of Key Personnel
Stevenson expressed his fury at the departures of talisman Lawrence Shankland and manager Derek McInnes to Rangers without a fight. "It's been toothless. Not a word from any of the board over the last few days," he said. "It looks like they've not put up a fight."
Feeder Club Concerns
The former midfielder believes Hearts are transforming into a feeder club, with the spine of the team dismantled. Cammy Devlin, Beni Baningime, and Frankie Kent are also set to leave, leaving the squad depleted ahead of a Champions League qualifier.
Reliance on Analytics
Stevenson criticized the club's reliance on the Jamestown Analytics model under investor Tony Bloom. "Now they are pinning their hopes on a computer," he said. While acknowledging successes like Claudio Braga, he noted failures like Chesnokov and Rogers Mato.
Urgent Need for Signings
With McInnes leaving, Hearts need ten signings and a new manager quickly. Stevenson warned that a poor start could lead to chaos by Christmas. "They can’t afford to get the next manager appointment wrong," he added.
Suggested Replacement
Stevenson proposed Neil McCann as the ideal successor, citing his knowledge of the club, ruthlessness, and ability to connect with fans. "Hearts need a manager," he said, dismissing John McGlynn as more of a coach.
Warning for the Future
Despite the long-term plan, Stevenson cautioned that five poor years would not be tolerated. "If they start the season badly, the wheels will come off and by Christmas it'll be uproar," he concluded.
