Sat on the turf with his hands on his head, you could see the utter dejection written across Stephen Kingsley's face after Hearts slipped to a bruising defeat against St Mirren.
The defender - so often a key player for the capital club - painted an exact picture of the turmoil at Tynecastle currently. Frustrated, low on confidence, and still a little blindsided by the uncharacteristic six losses from the last seven outings.
It's little wonder then that the Hearts players and staff held an inquest in the wake of the 2-0 defeat with Kingsley and Co first in discussion with Neilson and his backroom team before a meeting of the minds between the squad.
It would turn out to be Neilson's last act as boss before he was sacked on Sunday afternoon.
“Initially everyone together and then after a while it was a bit quiet and the players had a meeting ourselves for a good 20-25 minutes," said Kingsley of the lengthy discussion after dropping into fourth with a fifth straight defeat.
“Hopefully it makes a bit of difference in the coming days when we actually get things said and get things off our chest.
“But things need to change. Words are words. And you can talk all day but at the end of the day, things need to change.
“The club doesn't deserve to go on a run of six losses out of seven. The fans don't deserve that. The penny needs to drop.
“It's been coming. I think that's six of the last seven games we have been beaten.
“There was a meeting in the changing room afterwards. But to be honest, these things need to change and the penny needs to drop.
“We thought we'd been through that spell and tried to get things sorted for this game and get the win, but it seems like it's the same mistakes again.
“There's only so much you can say about it to be honest; I think everything has to kind of stay in house in the next couple of days. [There are a] Couple of things that need to be addressed."
Hearts supporters made their feelings clear in the aftermath of the league defeat with furious 'Neilson get to f***' chants and loud boos come full time.
Some irate supporters even alleged Neilson had lost the backing of his players in furious scenes at full time before the decision to relieve the manager of his duties just 24 hours later.
Kingsley - speaking before Neilson's dismissal - had called for the club to join together to return to form and chase down third spot.
"No, I think now more than ever, the most important thing is staying together," Kingsley said when quizzed on the subject on Saturday evening.
“The worst thing you can have is these cliques and groups dividing the dressing room and saying ‘this is wrong, that’s wrong’.
“There are certain things that need to be addressed 100 percent and that will be what we do in the next couple of days.
“There will certainly be a few tough words for everyone involved. But it’s with the idea in our heads that we’re in this together and only we will be able to get us out of it, no one else is going to help us get out of this rut.
“Whether it’s a staff member or players individually having a go at other players, whatever it is, everyone needs to be in it together.
"It’s a collective, we need to do it together.”
4⃣ The pressure increased on Robbie Neilson as Hearts dropped to fourth with defeat to St Mirren, their sixth loss in seven games 🔽 pic.twitter.com/BR0Zu86L4s
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 8, 2023
He added: “It's been like that for the last few weeks. You keep thinking, right okay, address things during the week, get things sorted and then hopefully move on to more positive things.
“But there's a negativity and a nervousness I think. Things need to be dealt with, so us as footballers that's just the job we are in.
“If we are going on a bad run like that the fans have got absolutely every right to voice their opinions. And it's been like that for a few weeks now.
"We as a a collective need to stand up and show ourselves in a better light and then really stand up to this challenge that we're facing right now.”
However, Kingsley insists Hearts remain the best team outside of Celtic and Rangers - when they're on their game.
“If we are on it and what we've been showing last season and spells this season; we are the best team outside the Old Firm.
“It sounds ridiculous to say that after six losses in seven games but...
“We need to focus on ourselves individually and as a collective and and make sure we can win. And then make sure we get the performances right and get performances that everyone, the club, the fans are proud of again.
“When we get that confidence level back then the third place will take care of itself.”
Hearts now head into an Edinburgh derby against Hibs with nothing other than victory acceptable - not that the attitude is any different than in previous capital clashes.
“It's a must win," said Kingsley. "It doesn't matter who you're playing. At any other time, a derby is a must win match.
“But for us next week there's absolutely nothing will be accepted other than a win.
“And moving on from that, that has to be the kickstart to to getting getting back into that third position.
“We've only got ourselves to blame for not being in that situation now. As I said the coming days will be important for us going forward.”
