This season will be a whole new ball game for Hearts boss Robbie Neilson

HE won a title in his first season as a manager, but 2015-16 will be a whole new ball game for Hearts boss Robbie Neilson.

For though last year’s Championship success was achieved over two of the country’s biggest clubs, Hibs and Rangers, it was also a campaign that included games against lesser lights Cowdenbeath and Alloa.

And if the Edinburgh club needed any reminder about the step up in standard they will face on their return to Premiership, they got it when the fixture list handed them a double-header against Celtic and Aberdeen in the space of seven days.

Yet while he acknowledges the increased challenge the 35-year-old will face, keeper Neil Alexander, two years Neilson’s senior, insists it is one he will rise to.

“I think any manager is always out to prove things and Robbie has already shown to people what a good manager he is from what he achieved last season.

“Now, he will want to improve and get better and he will do that with the more experience he gets in the job.

“This will be a new test for him this season, up against better opposition, but I have been so impressed by him from the first minute he walked through the door.

“He is one of the best young managers and coaches I have ever seen in football and I have been around the game for a long time.”

Alexander speaks from an insider’s perspective, his work as Hearts goalkeeping coach affording him the chance to both work with the manager and study his methods at first hand.

“I see a lot of what goes on behind the scenes and how Robbie deals with things and I have been immensely impressed by him,” he said.

“His work ethic, the hours he puts in behind the scenes, his dedication, his methods on the training pitch all of these are absolutely first class.

“His attention to detail is so good, he leaves nothing to chance.

“Before the game, during the game and after the game. He is always looking at ways to improve the team and make us better.”

All of that will be needed if Hearts are to fulfil optimistic predictions of a top-six finish.