Hearts sack Robbie Neilson as Jambos slump to fifth defeat in a row
HEARTS have sacked manager Robbie Neilson.
The Tynecastle board have made their move after yesterday's 2-0 defeat to St Mirren.
That was a fifth loss in a row for the Jambos and it has led to Neilson losing his job.
A club statement read: "Heart of Midlothian Football Club can confirm that it has parted company with manager Robbie Neilson.
"Robbie has been a key part of the club’s ascent back to the upper echelons of Scottish football, delivering another Championship title, a third place finish, two Scottish Cup Finals and European group stage football in the process.
"This was an extremely difficult decision to reach, and we would like to thank Robbie for all of his efforts.
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"A full statement from the Board of Directors will be released in due course. No further comment will be made today."
Hearts enjoyed European group stage football this season after reaching the UEFA Conference League.
And after a slow start, they gradually moved their way up to third spot in the Premiership again this season.
But a recent run of five successive defeats has seen them drop a place - leapfrogged by Aberdeen at the weekend.
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Supporters had already started to show their frustration with abusive grafitti aimed at Neilson appearing last weekend.
And now the board of the fan-owned club have decided they've had enough too, swinging the axe with seven games left of the season.
The Jambos host derby rivals Hibs next Saturday in what will likely be an explosive encounter - with both teams still hoping to finish the campaign in third.
Hibs are also enduring a poor run of form and were beaten by Dundee United earlier today.
Pundit and former Celtic striker Chris Sutton was among the first to react to Neilson's sacking describing it as a "ridiculous decision".
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