Robbie is currently Hearts longest-serving player having been recruited from Rangers Boys' Club back in 1996. He subsequently progressed through the ranks to become a regular at right back, although when Robbie first came to Tynecastle he was an excellent all rounder, being also able to operate at centre half or in midfield. <\/P>
In his early years, Robbie won youth international honours and in May 1998 his tough tackling and dangerous running helped Hearts to victory in the Youth Cup Final against Dundee United. This early promise was recognised in April 2000 when Robbie was in the Scottish U21 side despite not having made his senior debut for Hearts. He also played in the team that won the Premier Reserve League in 1999-2000.<\/P>
To gain additional experience, Robbie was loaned to Cowdenbeath from December 1999 to February 2000 and he was then promoted to the Premier League squad at the start of the following season. Having made the breakthrough it was a surprise when the solid right back went out on loan to Queen of the South in August 2002.<\/P>
However, this move was very successful and Robbie helped the Dumfries team to consolidate in the First Division and to win the Challenge Cup Final against Brechin City. In January 2003 Robbie came back to Tynecastle and immediately challenged Alan Maybury for the right back position. The increasingly confident defender also gave the team an additional threat with his amazing long throw. <\/P>
Robbie links with midfield and backs up the attack, and due to his great energy going up and down the park, he played his part in Hearts finishing third in the league in successive seasons (2002-2003 and 2003-2004) and securing a UEFA Cup place. He grew in stature last season and Robbie was the hero against FC Basel when his first goal for the club proved to be the winner in the UEFA Cup match in Switzerland.<\/P>","816C8DE73A2D153866B49ADDE8EB04C4":"Scotland","3F6EEC72E60D52B53E2E6377341938DB":"4","1BB8AF7BD3F66066":"183cm","078F3C827B475FC4":"11214","90579B4DEA63C3E4":"Robbie Neilson","7777CB48C34672EC8F83E174F0B7EFC7":"","7F6018B84729B122B8EE7594158DA382":"Heart of Midlothian FC,Dundee United,Milton Keynes Dons,Hearts(U20)","86178E7285C328960D9569BD40C7D883":"1980-6-19","3B9127F7BC829326":"1","D1BA8203CB065367D63301112214EF98":"0","2F200EF80307E2A90BE724565D2038D0":"2023-11-9","147403B66C8CB5C7":"13597","0E9052569923A91555E1DAF3C456F9CD":"","4EB8C1CDD4A86AD4B213AF7FAE87E4FE":"Heart of Midlothian FC","8084EC95B881D770":"Tampa Bay Rowdies","F52748F924D1E675":"83kg","A494ABC507986833":"Robbie Neilson","75B83B44A2FCDD1B4FF631FCD2E3CC16":"999","e_index":2};