Robbie Neilson was part of a Hearts team that was threatened with the axe by madcap owner Vladimir Romanov.

The Lithuanian's warning that the players would all be for sale if they failed to beat Dunfermline back in October 2006 triggered a statement from the Riccarton Three that revealed 'significant unrest in the dressing-room'.

But as Neilson prepares to take his side to Dundee United to face a side that have been publicly condemned by Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson, the former Hearts defender admits he has no idea how the Premiership basement side will react.

Neilson said: "The chairman has made a statement and he has every right to do that as he puts money into the club.

"Whether he gets a positive or negative reaction, time will tell.

"I don't know what the dressing-room is like up there so it's very difficult to say how United will react.

"I went through some difficult periods here but we were lucky that we had a strong dressing-room and that got us through it.

"When the players step across that line on a Saturday, it doesn't matter what anyone says about them.

"You can talk about what will affect them but on a Saturday, it's about playing.

"There was a lot of negatives at that time (under Romanov), but at the end of the day he was the owner. It's the same at Dundee United.

"The owner can say what he wants and you have to accept it."

Asked if he had sympathy for United counterpart Mixu Paatelainen, whose side are 13 points adrift at the basement following Tuesday's 3-0 drubbing at home to Motherwell, Neilson replied: "It depends how Mixu spins it when he is in the dressing-room.

"Does he spin it as Mixu and the team? Or as the team itself?

"Mixu is a clever guy and I think he will spin it to get them all onside."

Hearts and Neilson came in for criticism of their own from fans following Tuesday's 1-0 Scottish Cup replay at city rivals Hibs but the 35-year-old, who led the club to the Championship title last term with a 21-point winning margin, is refusing to be downbeat.

He added: "There's always going to be a backlash from a cup game and especially a derby but you have to accept it. You take it in the chin and you move on.

"We have not had many setbacks and that means when you do get one then it gets blown up, but the players have reacted really well and there's not really been a period when they have lost focus."

Hearts captain Alim Ozturk insists criticism of the team in the wake of their painful Scottish Cup defeat to Hibs is unfair.

The defender missed Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Easter Road due to suspension but the 23-year-old has been surprised by the reaction from some supporters, especially when the side is sitting comfortably in third place and on course to qualify for Europe.

Ozturk, who is set to return for today's trip to crisis-club Dundee United, said: "Of course, when you lose to your rivals there will be fans disappointed but have you seen what the manager has done here in the last two years?

"He has done really well. We're third in the league and doing well for a team that has just been promoted. I don’t understand the criticism.

"It's always tough to lose, but you've got to accept it's part of the game as well.

"It's one of the biggest games here, even if there is a league between us.

"It's really important for us to finish in the top three now and we have a big chance.

"We’ll do everything we can to stay there."

Head coach Neilson has not been immune to the criticism but Ozturk insists the 35-year-old coaching style impresses him.

Ozturk added: "He is a young man but he is really calm and I like that. He is never stressing, he is always quiet and that gives you a good feeling as a player.

"If you see a gaffer that is stressing, you'll maybe stress out as well. But he is always quiet and that gives me confidence as a player."