Steven Naismith: Hearts caretaker boss says third place 'not be-all and end-all'
- Published
Steven Naismith has worked closely with Scotland head coach Steve Clarke
Interim boss Steven Naismith says securing third place in the Scottish Premiership is not the "be-all and end-all" for Heart of Midlothian.
The 36-year-old former Scotland forward has been placed in temporary charge until the summer after Robbie Neilson was sacked on Sunday.
Hearts have slipped to fourth after four straight league losses and face Edinburgh rivals Hibernian on Saturday.
"You're coming up against the hardest fixtures of the season," Naismith said.
"[Finishing third] would be nice but that is not the be-all and end-all, because of the performances over the last two months. You're going from one extreme to another.
"The club have made the change to try to get a reaction. I firmly believe they will get a reaction, but time will tell."
Naismith feels "well equipped" to assume the Tynecastle hotseat despite the opportunity arising quicker than he expected.
He has been in various coaching roles with the club and national team since retiring as a player in Gorgie two years ago, and revealed he had consulted Scotland manager Steve Clarke before accepting the job.
"I think I best learn when I'm around good people and see it with my own eyes; I don't need a pep talk," Naismith added.
"The manager has been great in giving me an opportunity and he's now a sounding board for me."
The former Rangers, Everton and Norwich City forward wants to restore belief to the Hearts squad who have seen an eight-point cushion in third place steadily eroded.
Claiming that berth behind Celtic and Rangers last season guaranteed them a lucrative European campaign earlier this term.
After travelling to Leith, they host Ross County next Saturday in their final pre-split fixture.
"I've seen players with ability, who have lacked a bit of confidence and played safe," Naismith said.
"The first thing I've said to the boys is, 'you've coasted, which has cost you your gap in points, and you need to get back to enjoying the game'.
"It's hard to describe, but doing the things you don't actually think about doing, you just do.
"Not receiving the ball and being uptight and nervous. Get that out your head because that only causes problems. That's been the message from the start."
Naismith also drew comparisons to the rise of Celtic under Ange Postecoglou as a blueprint for Hearts to emulate.
"The long-term goal for the club has to be bringing more youth players through, playing a certain way, but that takes time and that is the only way the club can grow," he continued.
"The best short-term example of that is Celtic. They went from appointing a new manager to him being criticised massively, he stuck to what he believed and now they have massively grown and grown and grown.
"That tells you it takes time. I think we can get an instant reaction but it is not going to be perfect."
Meanwhile, Naismith confirmed negotiations to terminate Robert Snodgrass' contract were because the veteran former Scotland midfielder did not feature in his plans.
Our coverage of Hearts is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment