Joe Savage responds to Hearts 'personal abuse' as he reveals encounter with fan that sticks with him

Joe Savage has opened up on the 'personal abuse' he's received in his role as Hearts sporting director - asking vocal critics to think before they speak or post on social media.

Savage took over his role at Hearts in December 2020 and has since helped spearhead their re-establishment as one of the country's best sides outside of Rangers and Celtic. But it's not all been plain-sailing, with the sacking of Robbie Neilson last season and the saga surrounding the appointment of Steven Naismith. His signing record has been called into question at times too and Savage insists he's happy to take healthy criticism on the chin.

But he draws the line at 'abuse,' and says even comments intended as lighthearted can hit home. Speaking to the Hearts Standard, he said: "I’m not on social media but I hear it, I see it, I know it’s there. I know there is a pressure on me. One of the fans made sure to tell me there is a thread on (Jambos) Kickback about me, whether I should stay or I should go.

"I’m thinking that is really interesting because these are the pressures of the job people don’t tell you. Everyone says to you ‘don’t read it’. But it is not happening to you when they say don’t read it or don’t listen to it. You can’t help it, it is there.

"I’m quite comfortable showing this vulnerability. I think people need to hear this job is not all rosy, it’s not me going home, sitting with my feet up and lighting a cigar saying ‘what a day I’ve had today’. Decisions you need to make everyday are hard. You’ve got things with budgets, things with salary increases, bonuses, people wanting this, agents wanting to move their players. You are saying not for that money and that agent is falling out with you. You’ve to deal with so much every