CLASS OF 2020 PASSES DESIRE GRADE
Naismith says Jambos’ have new competitive edge – and are ready to do what it takes for success
STEVEN NAISMITH was forced to sit and watch from the sidelines the last time Hearts met Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.
A knee injury deprived the Jambos of Naismith’s snarling, cajoling presence, not to mention his experience of the big occasion.
And it was much missed as despite taking a shock lead through Ryan Edwards, Odsonne Edouard struck twice to break Hearts and secure a treble Treble for Neil Lennon’s team.
However, 18 months on, Naismith is fit and ready for tomorrow’s fight at Hampden.
Not many would have given the Tynecastle side a chance had the final taken place back in May.
The Edinburgh club would have gone into it off the back of a wretched season whether they went down or not – and the Hoops would have been fresh from making it nine league titles in a row. Now, though, the circumstances are different. And not just because Hearts are a Championship club and Celtic have had a major wobble in recent weeks.
Naismith looks around Robbie Neilson’s new-look squad and sees more winners.
The former Rangers and Everton star said: “The mentality has changed slightly. There are more boys with a competitive edge, guys who want to win even in training. We have to use that.
“In life in general, you have people who want it, people who want it more – and people who are successful.
“You’ve got to have more of those guys, players who will do anything to win.
“You can’t have players saying, ‘Oh, we did well, we were unlucky, it was a good day.’ That isn’t good enough. You’re still a loser. Simple as that.
“So you need the type who will do anything to win, especially this week.
“Am I having to moan less then? Oh no, I don’t think that wi l l ever change, whether we are 4-0 up or losing!
“It’s just that desire to win. I’ve been there. I’ve been on the winning side.
“They are the best memories you’ll make in football. Whether that be a League Cup a Scottish Cup or a title, they’re the best days in your football career – when you’re winning trophies.”
Celtic may have calmed their fans’ fury a bit with a couple of wins over Lille and Kilmarnock but make no mistake – not winning this game puts them back in serious trouble.
Naismith knows only too well the pressure of playing for one of the Glasgow giants where silverware is expected.
But can Neilson’s men use that to their advantage?
The Scotland striker said: “Without a shadow of a doubt, we can use that.
“Not just because of how their recent form has been, although that’s one thing we’ll look at as a squad.
“Being at the Old Firm, drawing or not winning, not creating chances – it’s not good enough.
“That’s the demand that is set by both clubs.
“We’ve got to use that. We’ve got to understand the pressure on them.
“So we get the basic side right, defend well, then be brave and composed on the ball. We can’t be rushed on it. We’ll get good chances.
“Building the frustration is an element of it.
“But the best way to beat
Rangers or Celtic is to keep the ball, so we can’t get sucked into just kicking the ball long.
“We’ve got good players and we need to show that.”
At 34, Naismith does acknowledge he may not have many cup finals left in him – if any – after tomorrow.
His record is impressive, having lost just one out of four finals – a 5-1 thumping from Hibs in the 2007 League Cup Final at Kilmarnock.
But the hunger to add another winner’s medal remains strong.
Naismith said: “For me, it’s the same feeling. I want to win the trophy because it’s another medal, another achievement.
“It’s slightly different being captain, which is something I’ve not done before.
“That brings a bit extra. But my mentality is the same. Go and win because it’s there to be won. As you get involved in cup finals, you understand that the occasion does fly by.
“Before you know it, you’re looking back on it.
“So I’ll tell the players to make sure they enjoy it while they’re going through it.
“But we’ve been in the last ast four semi-finals, been in the he last Scottish Cup Final.
“It could seem that it comes easy. It doesn’t. You ou can go many years without out getting close to a final.
“So enjoy it, yes. But ut understand that it’s a game me of football. Win it – and nd you can enjoy it for years rs to come.
“The chances of doing it are becoming less likely, the e older you get.”
The lack of traditional l celebrations if Hearts win n saddens Naismith but he has a plan in mind in order to share any success with his family to make up for it. He added: “It will be sad that my family won’t be there to see me play.
“But, if we win, I’ll get the cup home with me for a day. We can get it in the garden and play for the Scottish Cup!”
you’re winning trophies