Sandy Clark is adamant Robbie Neilson is the man to get Hearts beating again at the right end of the top flight.
The former Jambos striker and manager is delighted Ann Budge has reappointed Neilson on a three-year deal.
Neilson masterminded the resurrection of the Jambos after Vladimir Romanov’s disastrous reign, taking them to the Championship title, then back into Europe.
Despite the uncertainty over which division Hearts will be in next season, Clark insists Neilson’s experience in both Championship and Premiership are invaluable.
He said: “Robbie took Hearts up in a Championship including Rangers and Hibs.
“This time if Hearts do have to go down there isn’t the same competition so they’d be big favourites to win that league.
“Every Hearts fan, however, is hoping they can still be in the Premiership next season.
“He is also proven there and led the team back into Europe. He took Hearts from the Championship and turned them into a major force. I am in no doubt he will do it again. He will get Hearts back up challenging at the very top end of the Premiership.”
Neilson was head-hunted from Dundee United as Hearts called time on Daniel Stendel’s reign.
The 40-year-old was convinced to walk out on the Premiership new boys, even though the Jambos don’t know what league they will be playing in next season.
They look like being in the Championship unless their joint-legal fight with Partick Thistle can stop their demotion. Neilson’s decision to re-join irrespective of where they will be playing speaks volumes about his love for the club.
Clark said: “Robbie has proved throughout his career he is a top manager and coach. He showed that at Hearts first time around, then at MK Dons and also at Dundee United. If you look at things, I don’t think Hearts have been the same team since he left the first time around.
“It is a good bit of business from Ann Budge and Hearts because it’s not as if they are taking somebody in who doesn’t know the club.
“Robbie has been there and been a winner at Hearts as a player and a manager and for me it looks to be a no-brainer.
“He also has a track record and will get results.”
Clark is bang on in his assessment that things started going downhill for Hearts when Neilson left.
They appointed Ian Cathro and then Craig Levein stepped down from director of football but he was pushed out last season.
Stendel was then brought in but left them struggling at the wrong end of the table before last season was called.
While one unhappy Hearts fan hired a plane towing a Neilson Out banner during his first spell, Clark insists it will be Hearts who will be flying again this time.
He said: “I know some of the Hearts fans were wanting Robbie out first time around but have the club been at the same level since he left?
“Every Hearts fan will want to see their team back at the top end of Scottish football and if Robbie delivers then everybody will be delighted.”
Clark believes it is even more of a coup for Hearts because of their current battle with the SPFL.
He said: “Scottish football is a bit of a mess just now and Hearts are part of that with everything that has been going on.
“The fact is that Robbie has taken the Hearts job not knowing what league they are playing next season?
“There is still a lot to be decided there. That shows his desire to go back to Hearts because he had a good job at Dundee United and I couldn’t have seen him leaving for many other jobs.”
Clark also knows that Dundee United will be unhappy after Neilson led them back to the top flight.
He said: “I am a little bit surprised that Robbie is leaving Dundee United.
“They are also a club with ambition and were looking to back their manager but they will now be looking for a new head coach.
“The United players and fans will be disappointed and understandably so because he did a good job for them.”
