I couldn’t care less about Celtic VAR row because I’m more angry about embarrassing mess Hearts are in – Ryan Stevenson

Ryan Stevenson: Celtic VAR Row Isn’t My Concern, Hearts’ Embarrassing State Is

Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson has expressed his frustration with the club’s current situation, stating that the Celtic VAR controversy is the least of his worries.

Stevenson’s comments come after Steven Naismith’s angry reaction to two VAR penalty calls going against Hearts in their match against Celtic. However, Stevenson is more concerned about Hearts’ embarrassing start to the season, which has left them at the bottom of the league.

“The word that sums up my feelings is ’embarrassing’,” Stevenson said. “It’s not good enough, and it’s a direct result of poor recruitment decisions made over the summer.”

Stevenson emphasized that he’s not calling for Naismith’s sacking, as some have accused him of doing. Instead, he believes the manager is limited by the squad’s reliance on Lawrence Shankland’s goal-scoring.

Hearts’ struggles remind Stevenson of the 2020 season, when a poor start spiraled out of control. While he’s not worried about relegation, Stevenson is concerned about the club’s aim to finish third, given Aberdeen’s strong start under Jimmy Thelin.

The upcoming match against St Mirren will be a better indicator of Hearts’ progress, according to Stevenson. He praised Shankland’s passion and willingness to take risks, as seen in his attempt to psyche out Celtic’s Arne Engels during the penalty shootout.

Stevenson also reflected on his playing days, when the game was more physical and mentally tough. He acknowledged that times have changed, and VAR has made it impossible to get away with the kind of antics he used to engage in.

Key Points:

• Ryan Stevenson is more concerned about Hearts’ poor start than the Celtic VAR controversy
• Stevenson believes poor recruitment decisions have led to Hearts’ struggles
• He’s not calling for Steven Naismith’s sacking
• The upcoming match against St Mirren will be a better test of Hearts’ progress
• Stevenson praised Lawrence Shankland’s passion and willingness to take risks

Analysis:

• Stevenson’s criticism highlights the need for improvement at Hearts
• The club’s reliance on Shankland’s goal-scoring is a concern
• Aberdeen’s strong start under Jimmy Thelin makes third place a challenging target
• Stevenson’s reflections on his playing days highlight the changing nature of the game
• Hearts need to show progress against St Mirren to alleviate concerns