Hearts fans claim club is 'run by clowns' as second banner dig appears before crucial Viaplay Cup clash

Hearts fans have taken a second banner dig at the club's hierarchy ahead of their Viaplay Cup quarter-final with Kilmarnock.

A black banner with white writing read: "Funded by fans, run by clowns, we deserve better" was unveiled as the players made their way out of the tunnel at Rugby Park. Hours before kick-off, banners taking aim at chairman Ann Budge were spotted on a couple of bedsheet banners hanging over the railway bridge that crosses Gorgie Road. The two banners read "sack the board" and "Budge over", in an area situated close to the Premiership club's Tynecastle stadium.

Tension has been building in Gorgie during a difficult 2023. Robbie Neilson was sacked last season as their grip on third place came under threat and Steven Naismith was brought in as his replacement until the end of the 22/23 season. A summer of confusion reigned as Frankie McAvoy became head coach as a workaround to their Europa Conference League qualifying campaign, with Naismith titled technical director.

The former forward has since assumed the head coach title and got off on the right track with it after a 2-0 win over Aberdeen. But a weekend loss at St Mirren has piled the pressure back on.

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