Chris Wilder goes nuclear as Hearts next manager favourite in astonishing Watford rant amid Ryan Porteous gripe

Chris Wilder gave Hearts fans a glimpse of the no-nonsense character they could have at the helm next season with an astonishing post-match rant - which included a pop at former Hibs stopper Ryan Porteous.

The Watford boss knows his time at Vicarage Road is set to be brief with his whistle stop tour around the English Championship nearing the end game. The Hornets are lacking a sting and set to miss out on the Championship play-offs. Wilder specialises in speaking his mind and the assembled media were given a late night treat as he unloaded after their 3-1 defeat to Cardiff City.

The 55-year-old is the betting favourite to take the reins in Gorgie and was linked with Aberdeen – he was also in attendance to watch Celtic defeat Rangers in the Viaplay Cup Final in February. And a permanent migration north appears a bonafide option after he scorched his Watford stars for playing like individuals as he opened the door to his next move.

And the emotive former Sheffield United gaffer didn't miss a beat with a controlled rant which didn't miss anyone as reporters went into extra time capturing his every word.

"There it is, in a nutshell. Team. I want to see a team. Supporters want to see a team. Geezer sat behind me, he wants to see a team. Everybody wants to see a team.

“I’ve just been talking to Dean Whitehead, one of their coaching staff. A lad I know really well, Oxford boy. He said at 1-0 up, they’re thinking how many. When we went 1-0 up, you might have seen I got a message on to Hamza and said ‘nobody changes the script, just do what we’re doing, keep doing it, keep moving the ball, keep opening them up and finding the spaces’.

“It could have been a good night for us. The atmosphere before was great. I know sometimes