MK Dons approach Hearts to speak to boss Robbie Neilson

MK Dons have made an official approach for Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson.

The Sky Bet League One club are looking for a new manager after parting company with Karl Robinson last month.

A club statement read: "Milton Keynes Dons Football Club can confirm it has made an official approach for Heart of Midlothian's head coach Robbie Neilson with regards to its vacant managerial position.

"The club respects that Hearts has an important fixture with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening and, therefore, no further comment will be made until after that match."

Hearts also confirmed the approach ahead of their game with Rangers, where a win would send the Jambos second in the Scottish Premiership.

"The club can confirm that MK Dons have made an official approach to Heart of Midlothian in relation to head coach Robbie Neilson," read a statement.

"Robbie is aware of the approach but he remains fully focused on the immediate task at hand, which is of course, Rangers at home on Wednesday.

"No further comment or statement will be made by the club until after this match."

Neilson has been in charge at Hearts since 2014 and has won 61 of his 105 games, losing 22.

He won the Scottish Championship in his first season and guided Hearts to third in the Premiership last season.

The 36-year-old also made 249 appearances for the club as a player between 1996 and 2009, winning the Scottish Cup in 2006, before joining Leicester.

Robinson left the Dons in October after just over six years at the club following a poor start to the season and the club are two points above the relegation zone after Saturday's 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Coventry.

Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard held talks over the vacancy but claimed it was "too soon" for him to move into management.