Hearts manager Craig Levein hits back at Michael Stewart over Vanecek criticism

Hearts manager Craig Levein has hit back at Michael Stewart after the pundit branded his handling of striker David Vanecek as “poor management”.

Hearts manager Craig Levein

Levein substituted his new signing just 34 minutes into Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat by Dundee, later describing Vanecek’s performance as “rubbish”. He also revealed that the Czech forward was lacking the necessary fitness.

Former Hearts midfielder Stewart, who had a spell under Levein at Tynecastle, said that the manager’s public criticism of the player was all wrong and that he had managed the player poorly.

The pair have clashed previously, with Levein accusing Stewart of having an “agenda” and “a personal vendetta” against him.

Michael Stewart, pictured, criticised Levein's handling of David Vanecek

Asked about Stewart’s criticism, Levein said: “Listen, I’ve got to laugh. My good friend Mr Stewart is not intelligent enough, or brave enough, to try management. Why would I take any advice from him?

“It’s like me taking advice on politics from somebody like, I don’t know ... Michael Stewart?

“So we’ll just ignore what he says.”