MLB

Harrelson: Collins right man for Mets

Ya don’t gotta believe right now, but Bud Harrelson still does.

Though the former Mets infielder, coach and manager has been disappointed by the team’s second-half freefall, Harrelson said Wednesday he is confident the team can improve on the field next season because of what he sees in the dugout.

“I think Terry [Collins] is doing a great job. He’s got them hustling, but you can’t hit for them,” Harrelson, 68, said at Citi Field after participating in a panel discussion on veterans issues with teammates from the 1969 championship team. “He’s a very positive guy. He’s not about the negatives. I think you have to have that good clubhouse. He thrives on the positives that are happening. He cheers for his players. He protects his players. I like what’s going on.”

BOX SCORE

Harrelson beamed with pride when discussing the team’s surprising first-half success and has been particularly impressed with Ruben Tejada. Noting the role injuries played in the team’s second-half struggles, Harrelson said though there may not be much left for the Mets to accomplish this season, the next six weeks still could be important in shaping the 2013 season.

“I like what’s happening and I like the kids that they’ve brought up,” Harrelson said. “That’s the future. Some of them have played with each other in the minor leagues, but they need to play more up here together.

“I think we all got smarter with [manager] Gil [Hodges] and these young players will get smarter with Terry the more that they play and are with each other. I like what I see and I think they’re going in the right direction. I’m optimistic.”

howard.kussoy@nypost.com