Steven Naismith Hearts flak has Andrew McKinlay 'bemused' as CEO offers up alternative relegation zone scenario

The Tynecastle CEO believes Naismith will turn a corner and has the backing of the club's board.

Steven Naismith came under attack at the Hearts AGM yesterday – with some fans branding the style of football under him as “horrific” and “embarrassing”.

But chief executive Andrew McKinlay insists the embattled boss can count on the board’s support as he bids to get it right Back-to-back defeats to Rangers and Aberdeen saw the spotlight turned on November manager of the month Naismith at the heated meeting. But McKinlay refuses to hit the panic button with the Jambos chasing third spot.

He said: “I will help Steven in whatever way he requires to give him the best opportunity. I understand that people want immediate success but I am confident that Steven can turn the corner. We’re talking as if we’re down in the relegation zone – we’re one game away from being third and have a game in hand at home. I am slightly bemused at some of the things we are talking about because of that.

"But I do understand the frustration, that I share myself, with some of the performances and the style of play. Do we want to play in a better style? Of course we do. Do we want to score more goals? Of course we do. Steven and the guys are working hard to do that.”

Naismith missed the AGM to prepare the team for tomorrow’s trip to Celtic, but McKinlay vowed to make the 37-year-old rookie boss aware of what was said by shareholders. He added: “You always want to go into an agm off the back of a great win at the weekend, so it was always going to be a day of some difficult questions. I don’t think any were unreasonable.

“He’ll see it. I will sit down with him but he is well aware of the noise that goes on. It’s not as if he ignores it, he understands it. He’s a football person, he gets it. He gets you have got to get the fans on board and give them something they want to get on board with. He fully believes he can do that.”

McKinlay and the board remain steadfast in their belief and chair Ann Budge, who confirmed she had accepted an invitation to continue in the role, shared their sentiments. She said: “I have confidence that Steven and the management team are doing everything in their power to get results on the pitch.”

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