Hearts forward Steven MacLean is backing under pressure manager Craig Levein in spite of recent calls for his sacking.
Fans gathered outside the main entrance at Tynecastle following a 3-2 defeat to Motherwell. Goals from Declan Gallagher, Sherwin Seedorf and Jermaine Hylton secured an impressive victory for the Well.
It’s fair to say the majority of fans don’t want Levein at Tynecastle anymore. Despite that, Maclean says players have to take some of the responsibility.
He told the Daily Record: “It’s difficult to see people at the door because the things they are saying are not nice. The manager brought us all here so we are all a part of that and we have let him down.
“Everybody says the buck stops with the manager but the players haven’t been good enough as well. We have to stick together and do the best we can to turn this around, not just for ourselves but for him. It’s hurting us all.”
MacLean is right, Hearts players must take some responsibility
Against Motherwell, there is a case to be made that the players didn’t perform well. With the exception of substitute Ryatoro Meshino, most Jambo players had an off day against the Well.
Christophe Berra looked shaky at the back. James Scott gave Aaron Hickey a roasting down the right and Allan Campbell bullied former Premier League star Glenn Whelan. Declan Gallagher meanwhile was back pocketing Uche Ikpeazu.
MacLean did plenty of running but made zero impact on the match. The veteran’s experience is vital to the squad, but his goal record is poor, netting seven times in 40 Hearts apperances.
Whilst Levein is to blame for the negative atmosphere around the club, the players need to give him a hand. Turning up and putting in half hearted displays certainly doesn’t give the impression that they are fully behind the boss.
Whilst the manager needs to move on, players out on the pitch need to up their game too.