FORMER Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman insists the presence of sporting director Craig Levein would be a help rather than a hindrance if he is appointed as Hearts’ new head coach.

The 43-year-old from Glasgow has applied for the vacancy after Ian Cathro was sacked four days before the start of the league season following a humiliating Betfred Cup exit.

Levein's interference has been the target of criticism from numerous quarters, including Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, since Cathro's exit.

But Freedman says he would welcome advice from the former Scotland manager should he make the move to Gorgie.

"The influence of Craig Levein would encourage me because although I'm still young, I'm a very experienced coach, and to bounce ideas off Craig would be fantastic,” he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"It doesn't bother me at all. I've been brought up with the English game where the sporting director has pretty much been here the last 10 years and getting stronger.

“I think it's up to the coach to go in from the very beginning and ask, what is the detail he (Levein) is looking for in a coach, what is the role and where does my remit start and stop?"

"If they're looking to get some of their younger players into their team - they've got a fantastic under-20 team and produced some players - I believe that's what my profile says.

"I've managed big clubs, developed international players and I think looking at the Hearts job they could do with a few more in their team. They've got experience - bought some in over the summer.”

Freedman insists that his experience from spells managing Crystal Palace, Bolton Wanderers and Forest would stand him in good stead to bring out the best from the Jambos’ current crop of players.

"I can go on and on about how we've got to win, but deep, deep down, where I've been brought up, fans also want to know some of their own are in there, they want to get some of the players from their youth and academies into the team,” he explained.

"My CV will tell you that - I will put young players in and develop players. I'm not trying to be chairman-friendly here, I'm only trying to tell you the facts.

"I think they've got a very good squad, I think they are playing the correct shape and it suits their personnel right now.

“Maybe there's been a mix-up between what the players want to do and what the manager wanted to do, but I think I'm experienced and disciplined enough to let them know exactly what we're going to be doing and who calls the shots on the training ground."

The capital club were beaten 4-1 by champions Celtic on the opening day of the Ladbrokes Premiership season, with Jon Daly in charge on an interim basis.

Hearts travel to Kilmarnock on Saturday for the second of four consecutive away games while the main stand at Tynecastle undergoes renovation work.