Hearts striker Gavin Reilly admits he was thrilled to see Robbie Neilson sign a new deal at Tynecastle after being unsettled by going through five managers in five years at Queen of the South.
After transforming the team on the park following Hearts’ exit from administration, head coach Neilson and his assistant Stevie Crawford both penned contracts that run until summer 2018 at the tail end of last week.
Reilly, who made the switch from Palmerston at the start of the season, is keen to benefit from the stability in the dugout after working under Kenny Brannigan, Gus MacPherson, Allan Johnston, Jim McIntyre and latterly James Fowler at Palmerston.
The 22-year-old, who is hoping to be handed a start in tonight’s visit of Inverness, said: “It’s good to have the backroom staff agree their new deals because they’ve been great for all of the players.
“They’re committed for the future as well, so it’s not a case of having a manager go and another one come in.
“At Queen of the South I had five managers in five years.
“A new manager usually comes in with new ideas and that’s frustrating for players.
“At the tail end of the season you’d be in a manager’s plans and come the start of pre-season he’d be away. Everything’s up in the air then.
“A new manager usually brings in new players and new ideas.
“But the gaffer’s signed on here so hopefully it’s good for me and the club.
“He’s been great for me. He gave me confidence that he wanted me to come here and step up a level.
“As a player that’s what you want to hear. I’m still relatively new to the club and the Premiership, so I knew it would be hard to begin with.”
Reilly, who has scored four goals this term, admits he has particularly enjoyed working closely with former Scotland international striker Crawford on the training pitch.
He added: “Stevie’s been great and he’s got vast experience of playing at a high level.
“Stevie does a lot with the strikers and attacking midfielders. He’s been great at that side of things.
“I’ve improved my link-up play. At Queens it was mostly playing off the shoulder of defenders.
“You have to change your game when you step up a level. It can’t be about being good at any one thing.”
