We didn’t deserve to be out enjoying ourselves after a result like that

Jambos have won once, scoring just four goals, and Lee concedes the Scotland international is “the one player” Hearts can’t live without.

Lee reckons Naismith’s long-awaited return will provide a massive boost for the team and himself as he looks to recapture his early-season potency.

He said: “I really enjoy playing with Naisy and he is one of the players I came up here to work alongside.

“He is a leader and manages the team on the field.

“We have missed him. He is the one player we really couldn’t deal without because of the way he barks orders and leads by example.

“It’s massive to have him back. Personally it has been a tough couple of weeks but it is nice to have Naisy back who I can bounce off and get forward.”

John Souttar and Uche Ikpeazu will also climb from the treatment table in the new year while striker David Vanacek joins the club from Teplice on January 5. And Lee has no doubt the Jambos can discover the form that saw them win six of their first seven league games to roar top of the table when they are back at full strength. “We have battled through as well as we can and hopefully we are now coming out the other side and getting players back who can make a difference. You have to remember we have lost international players.

“When everyone is back that could give us the lift we need to kick on for the second half of the season.

“In the first three months we showed how good we are. Now we just need everyone to work together and we can get back to that level. The tough times don’t last.”

Lee was speaking during Hearts’ annual visit to Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

OLLY LEE IS PRAGMATIC ABOUT PRAGUE PARTY KO