Hearts extend Naismith contract as team boss

Steven Naismith led Hearts to a third-place finish last season

Heart of Midlothian have agreed contract extensions with head coach Steven Naismith and his backroom team.

The Scottish Premiership club have taken up the option to add an extra year - until summer 2026 - to the deals with 37-year-old former Scotland striker and coaches Gordon Forrest, Frankie McAvoy and Paul Gallacher.

And Naismith said the new deals were a reward for the team's improvement on and off the training pitch.

"It's a reward for the success we have had, and probably the things people don't see behind the scenes," Naismith said.

"There has been loads of progress. The way the deal was structured at the start this was something that could always happen. It's been a good fit in our first year.

"Even when I was a player, and you know you are going down this route, you start to think who you would have working with you. Right from the off Frankie [McAvoy] and Gordy [Forrest] were guys who were high on my list."

Hearts finished third last season, with the club saying they have "gone from strength to strength" since the quartet took on their roles at the start of last season.

Chief executive Andrew McKinlay told his club website: "The progress made on the pitch last season was there for all to see and, because of that, we have a truly exciting year ahead of us.

"By extending the coaching team's contracts we are reiterating our trust in them and confirming our belief that they can continue to take the team on an upwards trajectory.

"Good coaching teams aren't always in abundance and other clubs are always on the lookout, so the club also has peace of mind in terms of protecting its assets."