Michael Stewart has doubted Hearts boss Neil Critchley’s character if things start to go south for him at Tynecastle.
Critchley was appointed Steven Naismith’s successor in October to turn results around at the club after a horrendous start.
But while he has got the team playing a bit better than under Naismith, the Englishman hasn’t been able to find enough positive results.
Hearts are 11th in the Premiership table heading into the game against Aberdeen on Sunday and Stewart says if the Jambos don’t win, things could get ugly.
And the BBC Sportsound pundit thinks Critchley may not have it in him to deal with that sort of pressure from the fans, which will only build and build.
Stewart’s honest Neil Critchley verdict
Asked initially if Hearts will be able to pull away from Hibs at the bottom of the Premiership, Stewart replied: “Yes, I would have said that a week ago.
“My slight concern is that with Hearts, as much as there has been improvement made, it’s a bad run of form and results that they are on now and the performance during the week was pretty poor.
“Cercle Brugge weren’t any great shakes and my concern is, if they don’t win tomorrow, that could turn toxic very quickly.
“And as much as Neil Critchley has made a difference and there’s a bit of clarity in terms of how they’re trying to play, there’s a bit of continuity with the team, the results have been poor.
“That can affect confidence pretty quickly and I’m not sure Neil Critchley is a strong enough character. He himself has said it’s a bigger job than he’s ever had before.
“I’m not sure he’s fully equipped and ready for the vitriol that could quickly turn.”
Stewart stunned by Lawrence Shankland criticism
The former Hearts midfielder also had a go at some Hearts fans who verbally abused misfiring Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland after he missed a penalty against Cercle Brugge.
He said: “I’ve got to be honest, I was flabbergasted and a little bit disgusted with the reaction towards some supporters towards Lawrence Shankland on Thursday night, as if he’s deliberately missed a penalty kick.
“He’s devastated and to be hounded the way he was by some of the supporters – I just thought a section of the support, the way they behaved generally over in Belgium left a lot to be desired really and the club have got to be looking at that. It wasn’t good enough.”