ANNWAS WARNED: LEVEINA MISTAKE

ANN BUDGE GAVIN BERRY

ANN BUDGE has revealed how a Hearts-daft marketing expert warned her that appointing Craig Levein as manager would be a PR disaster for the club.

But the Gorgie supremo insists she will never please everyone with the Jambos faithful split on the 52-year-old landing a second shot at the Tynecastle hotseat.

Budge has handed director of football Levein a dual role at the club, ending a four-week search to replace axed Ian Cathro. Many fans still hold Levein’s 4-6-0 set-up against him when he sent his Scotland team out to face the Czech Republic without a striker.

Budge said: “I spoke to a Hearts fan who has spent his life in market research. He said, ‘I’ve been doing research Ann and everything will be fine as long as you don’t appoint Levein!’

“I can’t allow fan reaction to influence a business judgment. That doesn’t mean I’m not listening to them.

“I was around as a fan when Craig was here and he was a really popular and good manager. You weigh that up against the guys who say never let him cross this door again. It’s illogical – which supporter behaviour often is.

“Craig also said to me when we were talking last week, ‘Wouldn’t it be easier if only I was popular!’

“It will disappear if we have a few good results. He did tick all the boxes and offered stability.

“I am absolutely determined that we continue to build on the good things that have been done.

“I would just say look at Craig’s track record, look at what we have achieved in the last three years and watch this space.”