Losing isn’t acceptable for us now

Naismith hails Hearts mentality change

NO fans, no family, no lifelong friends there to share the moment. And no chance of Steven Naismith letting any of that get to him.

Should the Hearts captain lift the Scottish Cup at Hampden tomorrow? Well, he’ll already be setting his sights on the next challenge — defending the trophy in a back garden kick-about with his two young daughters.

Naismith, like everyone else, is lamenting the fact that even immediate family won’t be allowed into the national stadium for yet another closed-doors game in this year of eternal lockdown.

‘It will be a sadness, to an extent,’ he said. ‘ The one disappointing thing is not having fans there. They bring so much to the game.

‘Personally, yeah, 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!’

Plenty of opponents who have faced Naismith down the years might suggest his daughters wear shin pads for any bounce game with dad, given his reputation for competitiveness.

It’s certainly noteworthy that, in assessing how Hearts have changed since Robbie Neilson replaced Daniel Stendel following their premature relegation, the skipper picks out attitude more than aptitude as key to their improvement.

‘ This season for us, the mentality has changed slightly.

‘There are more boys with a competitive edge — more guys who want to win even in training. We’ve got 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 will ever change, whether we’re 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. ‘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. ‘So enjoy it, yes. But understand that it’s a game of football. Win it — and you can enjoy it for years to come.’ Given his own grounding at Rangers, where he won one Scottish Cup and two League Cups to go with three league titles, Naismith (left) can definitely understand both t he nature of tomorrow’s challenge — and the pressure under which t he opposition will be operating. Life on either side of Glasgow’s great divide isn’t like any other existence in football. Hearts need to be aware of that. And capitalise on it.

‘Without a shadow of a doubt, we can use that,’ said the former Everton and Scotland striker.

‘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 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.

‘We can’t get sucked in to just kicking the ball long. We’ve got good players and need to show that. We can use the confidence we’ve built this season.

‘This is a different team to the one who faced Celtic in last year’s final. We were set in our way of playing then. Things are certainly different now.

‘In terms of personnel, we’ve got more people around the club who have won trophies.’

Naismith and Craig Gordon top that list and, with both approaching the latter stages of their careers, there’s definitely a f eeling of wanting to capitalise on the opportunity. Just in case they don’t get another chance.

‘Yeah, the chances of doing it are becoming less likely, the older you get,’ said Naismith.

‘I wouldn’t say winning this one would be better than any other trophy because every one is great. It’s just another opportunity.’

‘It’s been a very tough year for everybody. To finish it off with a trophy, to be going well in the division we’re in, it would be a great way to cap off a s*** year in general for everybody.’

Oh, 2020 has been that, all right. Especially for Hearts fans. But it isn’t over yet.

And Naismith, for one, won’t be letting this annus horribilis slip into the record books without giving everything in a last shot at redemption.