Naismith: No easy solution for Hearts woe
STEVEN NAISMITH has warned there will be no quick fix for Hearts as they enter a run of fixtures that will shape their season.
The Jambos slumped to a 5-0 defeat to Rangers on Sunday as Steven Gerrard’s side eased to a comfortable and comprehensive win.
Austin MacPhee has just one win from his seven games as interim boss as the Tynecastle board continue their search for Craig Levein’s successor.
And striker Naismith knows the coming weeks are hugely significant as Hearts look to recover from a wretched first half of the campaign.
He said: “The clarity will come when it comes. The club has made the point pretty clear that they are going to look for the right man rather than just a shotgun reaction to try to get someone in quick.
“We have enough experience in the squad that should be able to deal with this. The games between now and Christmas will determine what happens this season for us as a club. As players we need to fight for the chances we get.
“I train with them every day. I honestly think they are [better than what we are showing].
“I think a lot are low in confidence. There is a lot of naivety in there and that needs to change. But it’s not going to change overnight.”
Meanwhile, MacPhee called for unity at Hearts last night but admitted players could start using the uncertainty over the manager’s situation as an excuse.
“The uncertainty of the situation for everyone is something that needs managed very carefully,” said MacPhee. “I think the longer it goes the more it can at times become an excuse, and it can also become a reality where maybe at times people aren’t as focused on their performance alone as they should be.”
Chris Jack and Stewart Fisher