VETERAN NAISY WARNS HEARTS: FAILURE TO MAKE TOP SIX IS NOT AN OPTION
HEARTS striker Steven Naismith conceded that the Tynecastle side’s season will be classed as failure if they do not manage to finish in the top six.
Craig Levein’s team improved their prospects of ending the campaign in the Premiership’s top tier following the split after last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Partick Thistle propelled them six points clear of seventh-placed Motherwell, who have a game in hand.
Hearts began the season with aspirations of qualifying for the Europa League, but club chair Ann Budge said the disruption caused due to the construction of the new main stand — which saw Hearts play their first 13 games away from home — should not be ‘under-estimated’.
The Edinburgh club travel to Dundee next Sunday before hosting Aberdeen in their final pre-split encounter and on-loan Norwich City marksman Naismith insists it is imperative Hearts finish among the league’s elite.
Naismith, who scored his second goal for the Tynecastle side against Thistle as Hearts bounced back from a derby loss to Hibs, said: ‘This club has got to be in the top six and it’s a failure if not.
‘We’ve taken one step and we’ve got two more to go, to cement it, and that’s what we’re working towards after the international break.
‘We were bitterly disappointed against Hibs and it wasn’t good enough. We owed that Partick Thistle performance to the fans — we had to show that we have the character to come back.
‘With this young squad moving forward, it’s one of those moments you will look back on and say: “The team kind of matured a bit”.
‘It was an impressive display, the first half we got the job done and the second half was a professional performance.’
Hearts are now unbeaten in 13 games at Tynecastle since the new £15-million main stand was opened to supporters and will attempt to maintain that record when the Dons visit on April 7.
Scotland cap Naismith admits they are determined to make the Gorgie ground a place to fear for opposition teams.
He added: ‘The home form is big. Even in previous years, without the new stand, it was a tough place to come if you’ve got the fans onside and you play at a tempo.
‘We did that in the first half against Partick and the fans got behind us and it showed.
‘That’s what we’ve now got to build on.’
Teenagers Harry Cochrane, Anthony McDonald and Lewis Moore all featured against Thistle and Naismith admits he continues to be hugely impressed by the Hearts youngsters.
He added: ‘One of the biggest things I’ve noticed since coming to Hearts is the young guys’ enthusiasm. They will learn and get even better.
‘The manager is not scared to put guys who are 16 or 17 on the park and give them that opportunity and platform.’