Michael Stewart rinsed for Hearts defence of Robbie Neilson during heated on air 'integrity' spat

Michael Stewart has hit out in scathing fashion after being questioned on his criticism of Hearts boss Robbie Neilson.

A 2-0 defeat to St Mirren means in six defeats in seven for the Jambos and it leaves them in fourth, with their quest for European football plunging Neilsin under pressure. Stewart was criticial of former Tynecastle boss Craig Levein's tenure in Gorgie that ended in 2019 and the pair haven't been shy in not being eye to eye, but that analysis has been brought up again.

While speaking on the situation at Hearts on Sportsound, Host Kenny Macintyre told Stewart that he is 'very close to Robbie Neilson and have spoken a lot about him and I think you would be more critical of other managers.' Tom English then told the former midfielder that if the current run of results happened under Levein, he would be going 'off his nut' and that is when Stewart hit out. He fumed: "I am sick and tired of listening to the tripe that comes out from you lot.

"You (English) came out and said I would be critical of Craig Levein, Craig never had this team, in Europe, sitting in third and built this squad to the level it's at. You use that argument against me and Kenny does it as well.

"When you lot were so safe and non-critical of what was going on before and now you are making statements about players losing faith in the manager. You never did that before, so don't level that criticism at me.

English came back in, saying: "I criticised Craig Levein and I said latterly he should lose his job. That is a matter of fact. I didn't throw my toys out the pram from day one. "

Stewart wasn't done and said his 'integrity' was being called into question by English and continued: "You are trying to say my personal feelings blind my