John Robertson on 'unfinished business' as Hearts manager and league reconstruction doubts

The former striker took over from Craig Levein during the 2004/2005 season

Hearts legend John Robertson believes he has unfinished business at Tynecastle Park as a manager.

The club’s record goal scorer took over from Craig Levein in November 2004 after success at Inverness CT but left before the season had finished following the arrival of Vladimir Romanov as owner.

Robertson, who is now back in charge of the Highlanders, led Hearts to both the Scottish Cup and League Cup semi-finals as well as to the famous victory over Basel in the Uefa Cup.

John Robertson led Inverness CT to second place in the Championship. Picture: SNS

In a Facebook Live with The Longest Forty to raise money for Mikey’s Line, the 55-year-old was reluctant to talk about the possibility of becoming Hearts manager again, expressing his love for his life in Inverness and praise for Daniel Stendel.

Yet, when asked if he thought he could do a better job at Hearts now than he did back in season 2004/2005 he was clear.

He said: “With my experience now, do I think I could do a better job? Yeah, absolutely.

“I think I could do a better job with the experience I’ve got, the knowledge I’ve got but my job right now is Inverness and I don’t want to disrespect the Inverness fans, my boss, the chairman.

“It’s like everything else. You can never say never.

“Unfinished business? Yeah, there is something in me that says I could have done better then and could do better now.

“In football management you deliver what you can in the time that you’ve got for the club that you’re working for. Right now, I’m giving everything for Inverness.”

Caley Thistle finished second in the Championship and would benefit from an expanded Premiership through league reconstruction. But for Robertson, what happens next with regards to any revamp and possible promotion pales in importance to what is happening in the world.

He is more concerned about the health of colleagues, fans, friends and his sister who works for the NHS on the frontline.

However, he is “90 per cent sure” Inverness will be playing Championship football next season.

He said: “If we go up through reconstruction, which I’m not convinced will happen, that would be fantastic, it’ll be a bonus.

“But at the same time if we are where we are we will move on again, that’s part of the challenge. Whenever the time is we get back to football I’ve got to make sure that I have a team challenging.”

John Robertson was speaking to Mark Benstead to raise money for Mikey’s Line. The charity provide emotional support to people struggling with mental health. You can donate here.