Michael Stewart details what Hearts have to do on Premiership return

Former Hearts player Michael Stewart reckons his former club have plenty to do to hit the ground running in the Scottish Premiership next season.

Michael Stewart has welcomed Hearts' return to the Premiership. Picture: SNS

However, speaking on the BBC, the pundit reckons manager Robbie Neilson has a core of a squad to help the team move forward.

Hearts secured their return to the top-flight on Saturday afternoon with Raith Rovers and Dundee dropping points, ensuring the Championship title is heading to Gorgie.

Attention will now switch to preparing the side for next season and being competitive at the top end of the league.

“It's been such a bizarre season,” Stewart said.

"It was extremely harsh the way in which things were done, the end result of Hearts being in the Championship but it is not the worst season to be in the Championship. A top-flight where we don’t have supporters in.

“They got themselves up, won it, now build and move forward.

“There are obviously things that need to be worked on. They need to recruit well.

“They need to find the right shape, the right system and how they are going to get those players into the team. John Souttar back was wonderful to see as well. The core is there, they need to add to it.

“The start of next season is a very very important start for Robbie and for Hearts because there is an element of the supporters that you can't ignore, who are not happy, who are voicing their concerns, they probably don't want Robbie as the manager.

"The start of the season has to be good so there is nowhere for them to vent that anger.”