Hearts: Steven Naismith will be head coach for 'a long time', Ann Budge hopes
- Published
Steven Naismith led Hearts to a 2-0 victory over Celtic on Sunday
Former owner Ann Budge is hopeful that head coach Steven Naismith will remain at Heart of Midlothian for "a long time".
The current chairperson was speaking after one report suggested Millwall have been keeping an eye on the former Scotland striker's progress.
But Budge says the 37-year-old has a "multi-year plan" for Hearts.
"I don't think he is looking out there thinking where will I go next," the businesswoman said.
"He said to us when he took the job this is going to take some time. He thought he knew what we needed to do to make the club improve.
"So it's his plan. As long as it's working in the right direction and the enticements from elsewhere aren't too big then I hope he will be here for a long time."
Naismith, who had been coaching with Hearts for two years after retiring from playing, was appointed interim manager in April before taking over on a permanent basis in June.
"Steven is a very honest, pragmatic, intense guy," Budge, who has now transferred her majority shareholding in the club to the fans through the Foundation of Hearts, said. "He wants to be a successful manager.
"I hope we have given him the platform. It was a wee bit early for him maybe, but he grasped the challenge."
Naismith's side, who beat reigning champions Celtic 2-0 on Sunday, are currently third in the Scottish Premiership and face Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Monday.
"We have given him the platform to get started," Budge added at the launch of a project to create a Maroon Mile heritage trail, which will form part of the club's 150th anniversary celebrations. "He will give back to us many times over.
"For that I am very sure, but having said that, I'm not stupid. If someone comes in and makes a fantastic offer and he cannot say no to, what will be will be."
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