Darren o'Dea: 'Neilson out' banner was plane ridiculous
Dundee defender Darren O'Dea reckons Hibernian hoaxers must have been behind the plane banner stunt criticising Hearts boss Robbie Neilson.
The centre-back cannot believe any Hearts follower could be responsible for last week's bizarre protest - because Neilson is doing such a good job.
Fans at Tynecastle were left stunned during last Saturday's 1-0 win over Partick when a small aircraft was spotted circling over Gorgie trailing a message saying: "No style, No Bottle, Neilson Out."
But O'Dea, who with Dundee will take on Hearts at Dens Park on Saturday, insists Neilson should be applauded after leading the third-placed capital club to last season's Ladbrokes Championship crown and towards a return to European action this term.
He said: "My first reaction was that it was a hoax from another club, maybe a Hibs fan, because Robbie has done a great job there.
"Surely to God there are no Hearts fans wanting Robbie Neilson out?
"Have I been surprised that his team have done well this season? Not really. Maybe a little bit with how well they have done but not surprised that they have come up and found their feet.
"They were a good side last year, strong and well organised. They have a bit of everything in their side.
"The Championship was a strong division last year and is again this season. So I think the bridge is not that big to cross.
"Maybe they have gone a little bit beyond expectations but we know we will be in for a tough game on Saturday."
Hearts hope to unveil new signing Perry Kitchen when they travel to Tayside this weekend after securing his switch from DC United.
But O'Dea has already crossed swords with the United States international midfielder following a stint in the MLS with Toronto FC and says Hearts should be pleased with their capture.
"I've played against him a couple of times and he's a good player," said the Irishman. "He'll be a good addition for Hearts. I wish him all the best - but only after Saturday obviously.
"I was actually surprised Hearts got him because he's highly rated in the MLS. There was certainly interest from other clubs there and the MLS is a league on the rise.
"So it says a lot for Scotland that he has chosen to come here."
The Dark Blues are looking to bounce back after a humbling 4-0 defeat to Rangers in last weekend's William Hill Scottish Cup clash.
But O'Dea does not believe that painful loss will knock his team off their stride as they look to cement their place in the top six.
Dundee are a point in front of seventh-placed Motherwell but have a game in hand.
The former Celtic player said: "We've had to pick ourselves up after the Rangers defeat but it's been fairly easy. We were on a great run before the game but it just didn't happen on the day at Ibrox.
"We were disappointed but if you let one performance define you as a team, then you will struggle. It's not about getting back on form. Last week was a blip in a good run."
Hearts, meanwhile, are looking to take their Tynecastle form on the road to Dundee as they bid to follow up a hat-trick of home wins, which came after consecutive away losses to Dundee United and Hibernian.
"You want to win every game. Three home wins in a row was great but we need to back it up by going to Dens Park and getting a result," said head coach Neilson, who is delighted to have secured the services of Kitchen.
"Last season it would have been difficult being in the Championship and even this season if we were in the bottom six. But someone of Perry's calibre looks at the club and infrastructure that we are building here and the possibility of European football.
"He wanted to come to Europe to try to progress his international career. The US national manager wants players who have got European experience."
Neilson added: "He will be in the squad coming up to Dundee with us. It will probably take him a few weeks to get up to full fitness.
"The MLS finished in November and he has been in a training camp with the US national team for four weeks, but the last two or three weeks he hasn't done a lot because he has been travelling back and forth trying to get his visa sorted."
Source: PAR
