Hearts manager Daniel Stendel has criticised Glenn Whelan claiming he has no leadership qualities.
Veteran midfielder Whelan was left out of the match day squad for the Boxing Day Edinburgh derby defeat to Hibs, with his immediate future Tynecastle in serious doubt.
Despite a good start, Whelan’s displays have nose dived in line with the rest of the Hearts squad since then.
They find themselves three points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership table ahead of this Sunday’s home clash with Aberdeen.
Having made 17 appearance in maroon in total, the former Stoke man has featured in three of Stendel's four matches in charge, playing 90 minutes against both St Johnstone and Hamilton either side of 45 minutes against Celtic.
The Irish international was signed on a free transfer in the summer after leaving Aston Villa, with the aim of playing regularly to ensure he was still in contention should Ireland qualify for next summer’s European Championship finals.
And while Stendel acknowledged that Whelan was willing to try to take on responsibility, he hasn’t seen evidence of the 35-year-old being able to exert his influence in the Jambos’ engine room.
"I can say he is a good type,” said Stendel. “He wants to take the responsibility but I have seen only three games. Do you have the feeling he is a leader in this group?
“It's not Glenn's fault - but a real leader in the centre of the pitch? Sorry - maybe I missed it. Maybe Michael Smith tries to take responsibility on the pitch.
"We can bring one in but also we can improve one other player to take more responsibility. Before I came here, they signed some players who have experience and are the right age to take the responsibility.
“Maybe they are not fit at the moment or they cannot handle the situation at the moment. This is a big point for us.”
