ROBBIE Neilson, the Hearts manager who looks set to depart for MK Dons this week, last night brushed aside questions about his own future after watching his team claim second spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Goals from Robbie Muirhead in each half gave Hearts a comfortable 2-0 victory over Rangers at Tynecastle last night in what looks certain to be their head coach's last game in charge.
But Neilson paid a glowing tribute to club owner Ann Budge, the Foundation of Hearts as well and his players for the win and the position in the top flight they now occupy.
Read more: MK Dons target Robbie Neilson leads Hearts to second with Premiership triumph over Rangers
Asked about the interest from the English League One club, he said: "I will come in tomorrow morning, we’ll have discussions and take it from there.
"There are discussions at the moment. But it’s not about me and I don’t want it to be about me. It’s been a fabulous night.
"I’ve not left yet. To be part of this football club has been an honour and it has been great. I will be here tomorrow. Until things change, I will be here.
Neilson added: “Ann has made the big difference at this club. She has come in and given the stability. The Foundation of Hearts have given us the finance and the backing.
Read more: MK Dons target Robbie Neilson leads Hearts to second with Premiership triumph over Rangers
"It’s nothing to do with me. It’s about the players, the fans and the owner, that’s it. That drives the club. Stevie (assistant manager Crawford) and I have a part to play, but that’s the pleasing thing.”
Mark Warburton, meanwhile, admitted that his Rangers team had not been good enough and stressed that he would be looking for a stark improvement against Aberdeen at Ibrox on Saturday.
He also admitted that Harry Forrester had been offside when Joe Dodoo had netted a goal for the visitors early in the second half.
But he stressed that he was disappointed at the length of time it had taken for referee Craig Thomson and his assistant to reach the decision.
“I’m disappointed with the level of performance," he said. “To concede to two tap-ins at the far post is unacceptable to us as a group.
"The good thing is we have got the chance to put it right on Saturday. We have got to have a good response. There is no feeling sorry for ourselves.
"We weren’t good enough. There is no point going in there and saying we were okay here and there. No, we weren’t good enough. And that is us as a group. It is not a player, it is as a group. We weren’t good enough. "No, tonight as a group of players we didn’t think we were good enough and what we have to do is respond very positively and look forward to the game on Saturday.”
Read more: MK Dons target Robbie Neilson leads Hearts to second with Premiership triumph over Rangers
Asked about the disallowed Dodoo goal, he said.: “We were unhappy because I think Harry is offside, if you analyse and scrutinise it.
“But the fact is the goal was given. The flag didn’t go up and the linesman was the last man in line. The flag didn’t go up for 14 seconds. He took five or six paces down the touchline.
“What happened to change the minds? It’s not clutching at straws, or being sore losers. It makes the game 1-1 and it’s a big turning point. We are bemused. The boys were celebrating with the fans.
“We asked the fourth official why and I was told they were deliberating the decision. But it wasn’t given for too long a period.”
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