davieG Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 http://www.scotsman.com/heartofmidlothianfc/ExHearts-favourite-Neilson-ponders-.6713865.jp? Ex-Hearts favourite Neilson ponders return north due to lack of game time Published Date: 08 February 2011By BARRY ANDERSON ROBBIE Neilson, the former Hearts defender, will consider returning to Scotland this summer if he cannot establish himself under Sven Goran Eriksson at Leicester City. Although happy with the Swede's regime, the 30-year-old requires more game time having played only twice since Eriksson replaced Paulo Sousa last October. Upon leaving Tynecastle as a free agent in summer 2009, Neilson joined Leicester on a three contract and featured 21 times in his first season. This year he has found himself marginalised as Eriksson's worldwide network of contacts helped expand the first-team squad at the Walkers Stadium to over 30 players. The full-back is now torn between remaining at a club with serious Premier League aspirations but playing only occasionally, or seeking a move to prevent himself stagnating. Leicester are currently eighth in the Championship, four points off the play-off places and just seven behind Nottingham Forest in the second automatic promotion spot. Neilson intends to consider his options carefully and will initially test the water by seeking a short-term loan move, which is permissable in England outwith the Premier League even whilst the transfer window is closed. Thereafter he will contemplate coming back to the SPL, where he spent ten years with Hearts. "I'll look at my situation again in the summer but I'd like to come back to Scotland at some point. I'll definitely consider it," he told the Evening News. "Whether it be the summer or a few years down the line, I don't know. I can't come up just now because the transfer window is shut. "Down south it stays open to an extent because they have this emergency loan system where you can join another club for a month. It's just a way of getting round the transfer window here, so hopefully if I'm not involved at Leicester I'll be able to go somewhere and play some matches. Then I'll take it from there in the summer. "I will re-assess things in a month's time; obviously if I'm not involved then I'll need to think about everything. I'd like to keep on playing because I want to play games. There's nothing worse than training all week and not being involved on the Saturday. In a few weeks I'll have a look at my situation and try to get some games in." Muddying the waters somewhat for Neilson is Leicester's status as a potential future force of English football.
OmnipresentSam Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 I like Neilson, he can throw the ball long. but I really don't think he has a future in a Leicester shirt.
Wymsey Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 Have to agree with Neilson, i feel sorry for him but he's had his chances and certainly won't push Naughton out of RB position. Is Barry Anderson related to Bill (old merc reporter) by any chance? Hope Barry is more truthful than he was <_<
Dom_Harborough Fox Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 This would make sense. His performances were better at the start of this season but he's never going to be good enough for the prem or to get in our side as long as Naughton is here. On his side I don't see the dilemma. If we do go up, he's not going to get a sniff so surely there's no point sticking around. Best for all parties if he can get out on loan somewhere, get some playing time & put himself in the shop window.
Haydos Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 I like Neilson, he can throw the ball long. but I really don't think he has a future in a Leicester shirt.
SMX11 Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 I don't think you can criticise Robbie's character but he lacks the ability to stay at the club. I was quite optimistic when we signed him with his pretty good reputation, but I guess you have to take care on who you sign from Scotland.
The Doctor Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 got to say I'm slightly disappointed if this is the case, he's the only decent back-up we have at right-back.
cc_star Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 I don't think Neilson is deserving of abuse, he's obviously a weak link at the back at the level we're striving to be and has been replaced. Sorted. He is certainly more of an able deputy than Lamey is. I'm not that sorry to see Neilson wants out, but it is a shame we seem unable to hold on to squad players who may or may not be asked to step up at some point, given an injury to a massively more capable first team player. If he wants to move on seeking first team football, he should, because he isn't going to get it here either for the remainder of this season or when Sven rebuilds in the summer (whichever division we're in)
kimmy619 Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 I don't think you can criticise Robbie's character but he lacks the ability to stay at the club. I was quite optimistic when we signed him with his pretty good reputation, but I guess you have to take care on who you sign from Scotland. Like Bamba?! There are some good players in the SPL who could probably do a good job in the Championship I quite like Neilson, but I wouldn't start him with the team line up that we have at present. The only concern I have is what happens when the loanees go back. What then?
FoxesFan123 Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 Neilson is sh*t. Full stop. Always has been when he's been here. Cannot believe this guy was our best performer at the start of the season, look how much we've moved on since. Backup to Naughton? Nah, I'm pretty sure if Naughton got injured, Mee/Vitor/Bruma/Berner would be used at RB.
kimmy619 Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 Neilson is sh*t. Full stop. Always has been when he's been here. Cannot believe this guy was our best performer at the start of the season, look how much we've moved on since. Backup to Naughton? Nah, I'm pretty sure if Naughton got injured, Mee/Vitor/Bruma/Berner would be used at RB. That's harsh!! He isn't sh*t, although I don't know how well he would cope with our current style of football.
Wymsey Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 He played well against Macclesfield i remember, but that was the only time he did do .
Marmite Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 To be fair he has never moaned being left out of the side and even Eriksson has praised him for his attitude in training and his determination to get into the 1st team. Realistically his only way into the side is if Naughton gets injured but if Vitor is fit he might get the nod ahead of him at right back.
Guest Basildon Fox Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 Like Bamba?! There are some good players in the SPL who could probably do a good job in the Championship I quite like Neilson, but I wouldn't start him with the team line up that we have at present. The only concern I have is what happens when the loanees go back. What then? We get more loanees in that are better than what we have now or permanent signings that are better in the future.
kimmy619 Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 We get more loanees in that are better than what we have now or permanent signings that are better in the future. Okay, but loanees are too uncertain for my liking. It isn't a guarantee that we will get someone good or we may get a decent player who doesn't gel well with the team.
Sergio Hellings Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 Good hes been woeful at times this season and he wont get a look in now, We need to get Vitor fit again because i think hes a good lad at center back and can do a job at right back, id like us to sign him infact but i doubt Benfica will let him go.
Heart-Shaped Fox Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 Like Neilson always get the feeling he really tries hard, but really he isnt good enough.
ChubbsLCFC Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 Don't have a problem with Neilson at all but I think hes a league one player at best, did always seem to give 100% when he played but not good enough for a team aspiring to be in the Premier League, time to get rid of some of the driftwood me thinks....
Mikey Posted 8 February 2011 Posted 8 February 2011 imo Naughton > Neilson I think that is pretty much everyones opinion.
ajthefox Posted 9 February 2011 Posted 9 February 2011 If he does go then fair enough, you can't blame him for wanting football and I hope he gets on well, but he isn't good enough for a team pushing for promotion never mind the prem.
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