Remembering John Robertson as Hearts boss - 16 years ago this week

Tuesday this past week marked 16 years to the day John Robertson returned to Tynecastle Park as Hearts boss.

It was the natural choice for the club as Craig Levein headed south to take charge of Leicester City after guiding the Jam Tarts to successive third place finishes – the first team outside of the Old Firm to finish in the top three since Motherwell in the early-90s – as well as providing famous European nights, defeating the likes of Bordeaux and Braga.

The latter victory acted as the springboard for qualification to the Uefa Cup group stage, and that was the set for Robertson’s first match in charge, against German giants Schalke 04.

The top scorer in the club's history had made a name for himself as manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who he brings to Tynecastle tomorrow. He guided the Highlanders into the top-flight, winning the First Division in 2004 – plus the Challenge Cup – and departed the north with a very impressive win ratio of more than 52 per cent.

On the face of it, it seemed the perfect match. The prodigal son returning to a club moving towards a new era with Vladimir Romanov's ownership on the horizon after stopping Chris Robinson’s sale of Tynecastle and subsequent move to Murrayfield. A manager who may seem more expansive than the highly effective Levein.

Mixed bag

Scratch below the surface and it could be argued Robertson was the right man at the wrong time.

His tenure was a potpourri of results and performances, incredible highs, deflating drama and disappointing defeats.

John Robertson returned to Hearts as manager 16 years ago this week. Picture: SNS

The double signing of Mark Burchill and Lee Miller in attack, plus the addition of unknown Lithuanians brought a mixture of excitement and intrigue in the winter.

Hearts won 2-0 at Celtic Park and reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup. On the flip side, there was the demoralising defeat at Easter Road to Motherwell in extra-time of the League Cup semi-final, a loss at home to Hibs in the league and that Rangers game where Saulius Mikoliunas questioned Andy Davis’ decision to award the visitors a late penalty.

The high point, of course, arrived in his first few weeks, steering the club to a famous victory in Europe, defeating Basel 2-1 in a ground where so many big British names failed.

Writing on the wall

Robertson brings his Inverness side to Tynecast;e on Saturday. Picture: SNS

Yet, even at that point there were concerns about Robertson under Vladimir Romanov. Anatoly Byshovets, the soon-to-be director of football, travelled with the team to Basel and reportedly insisted on putting a dampener on celebrations.

Therefore it was no surprise when Robertson didn’t see out the season with Romanov’s control increasing.

The club legend was linked with a return to Tynecastle this summer to replace Daniel Stendel. While remaining coy on the speculation, he noted he had “unfinished business” at the club and insisted he was a better manager now than he was back then.

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.”

He will now be putting that experience and knowledge to the test once more on Saturday as he looks to become the first manager to lead a team to victory over Robbie Neilson's men this season.