Former Hearts star Steven Pressley admits former teammate Robbie Neilson has lost the "credit in the bank" as Tynecastle boss
The disastrous Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Highland League Brora Rangers has ramped up the pressure on Neilson, despite leading in the Championship.
The shock result has led to some supporters urging Ann Budge to wield the axe with Premiership football in mind next season.
Pressley has lifted the lid on pre-season talks with pal Neilson about the standard of player at the capital side after they were sent down to the second tier.
He told BBC Sportsound that the boss had always planned for a summer clear-out and rebuild ahead of a top flight return.
However, the former Falkirk and Carlisle boss concedes Neilson may have lost the goodwill of fans after a slump in performances.
Pressley said: "Robbie will not need me to tell him that last night’s result and performance were completely unacceptable.
"I had a conversation with Robbie in the summer, not long after Hearts were officially relegated, and I said to him although it’s not the ideal situation the reality might be it’s actually a blessing in disguise that you were relegated because I don’t think the core of the group are good enough for the Premiership and had a year remaining of their contract.
"I said to him it you the opportunity to win the league and come up with some credit in the bank, and also gives you the opportunity in the summer to rebuild.
"The problem with last night’s result is is takes away that credit in the bank.
"The loss last night, the loss to Alloa, when he gets to the summer he will get the opportunity to move forward but he’s going to have to hit the ground running in the Premiership.
"He’ll understand that, but this is about being a manager now. Everybody thinks being a manager is about dealing with the tactical detail, it’s not. It’s about dealing with situations like this.
"I think the one thing they do have is a resilient manager."
