Naismith bags treble as rampant Hearts hammer St Mirren 4-1 to stay top

A Steven Naismith hat-trick inspired Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts to a thumping win over St Mirren.

Naismith struck all three of his goals in the first half while providing a lovely assist for Olly Lee.

The hosts remained in command in a goalless second half, although John Souttar had to clear off his own line.

Jimmy Dunne's own-goal was the only blot on Hearts' copybook as they recorded their fourth win from four league outings.

The Tynecastle crowd paid tribute to manager Craig Levein, who is recovering at home after being taken to hospital on Monday.

St Mirren remain second-bottom with three points.

• Saturday's Scottish Premiership - live reaction

Dominant Hearts bare their teeth

This Hearts team can hurt you in so many ways. The speed and trickery of Demetri Mitchell, back on loan from Manchester United. The colossal power and boyish enthusiasm of Uche Ikpeazu. The guile of the wily Steven Naismith and Steven MacLean.

They've lost last season's top scorer and go-to man for the big stage, Kyle Lafferty, but their attacking threat remains undiminished.

Levein's summer overhaul has yielded a squad capable of thriving in the blood-and-thunder sphere of Scottish football.

They can load up the box and hoist balls towards Ikpeazu. They can play through the middle, with the imposing Peter Haring winning the ball and sending Naismith and Lee surging forward. They can go wide, Mitchell, Ben Garuccio and Michael Smith charging up the flanks.

They scored a variety of goals here; some scrappy, some excellent.

It started when Ikpeazu was felled by Lee Hodson and Naismith rolled home from the penalty spot.

The massive striker then found Naismith with a looping header, and his sumptuous cushioned flick was patiently and emphatically finished by the onrushing Lee.

Naismith pounced on some abject Saints defending to score his second from a corner, then cruised onto Haring's pass and bobbled in his third amid more highly questionable defensive positioning.

If there is a chink in Hearts' armour, it is their full-backs' defence. Smith and Garuccio were repeatedly outfoxed, leading to St Mirren's goal. Better teams will punish Hearts more severely.

'Perfect tonic for Levein' - analysis

BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin at Tynecastle

If Levein needed a pick up after his health scare at the start of the week then his players certainly delivered at Tynecastle.

Naismith has now notched seven goals so far this season but it is his all-round play that has been particularly impressive.

And the addition once again of Mitchell could prove to be one of the best signings of the summer.

The 21-year-old was playing in a slightly further forward role than he did last season on the left flank and his pace was a constant threat throughout the game.

There will be few, if any, positives for St Mirren as they head back along the M8.

Defensively they were all over the place and Stubbs will no doubt be asking questions regarding the space allowed throughout the game to the home strikers.

With only three points from their opening four games, this already looks as if this will be a long, hard season.

'I hope fans aren't suffering from vertigo' - reaction

Hearts assistant manager Austin MacPhee: "The main thing was that we put a performance in for the manager. We want him to be relaxed in his recovery and not feel he has to run back in the door.

"It's very early days. We are delighted with our form just now. I just hope the supporters aren't suffering from vertigo."

St Mirren manager Alan Stubbs: "It's not as if the opposition are completely cutting us open; we're contributing significantly to our own demise at the moment.

"They have to learn very quickly. I don't want to point the finger individually - that stays private - but we have to do far better."