Steven Naismith makes plea to Hearts fans ahead of 'rocky road' as Paul Hartley asks Jambos exits question
The former Hearts pair have been assessing how the season could play out at Tynecastle.
Steven Naismith has urged Hearts fans to stick by head coach Wouter Vrancken as patience is key to unlocking a top three finish again.
The Jambos have been all change this summer after last term’s second place accomplishment in the Premiership where title glory stood mere minutes away. Jamestown Analytics has guided a turnover in the playing squad and Vrancken has replaced Derek McInnes in the dugout. It’s not been an easy start to his tenure in Champions League qualifying after a 6-0 aggregate loss at the second round stage to Sturm Graz ahead of opening their league campaign at Aberdeen.
A new style of play is coming with teething issues and Naismith reckons the managerial change is the biggest Hearts are facing. Assessing their chances this season on The Warm Up alongside former Hearts star Paul Hartley and Scotland hero James McFadden, the former Tynecastle head coach says fans must stick by the team in the early phases of Vrancken’s tenure, as it will prove bumpy.
How will Hearts adapt to Wouter Vrancken’s style?
Naismith: “I think Hearts from last season, Jamestown has transformed how they work, the player recruitment. But with this season and the change, big changes, the manager, some big players. The dugout is the big one I think because a new manager comes in with a new style, new structures, new players have come.
“There has been good recruitment last season. The title goes to the last day because of recruitment. I do think with a new manager, who probably has no understanding of Scottish football, that's the one thing Derek McInnes had. He had a real understanding. I think it'll make it tougher. By the end part of the season I think they'll have pushed and it'll be a big three. The key for me is, and it's hard to say, the fans staying with the squad as long as possible. It's going to be a rocky road this first couple of months.”
The former boss was assessing Hearts’ season ahead alongside Hartley, who has questions over the team’s spine, after key exits from front to back. He knows the demands Hearts fans will place on the side managed by Vrancken after last term’s progress and wonders how the Belgian will go about replacing an experienced core who have made way.
Paul Hartley on Hearts chances this season.
Hartley added: “I think he's got a good pedigree the manager coming from Belgium. I look at Hearts and I think of the spine of their team. Alexander Schwolow's left, Craig Halkett's injured, Cammy Devlin has left and so has Lawrence Shankland. It's massive right down the spine of the team. How do you replace that?
“It's not quite easy. You don't get time and you know what the Hearts fans are like. You need to win, you need to hit the ground running, and they go to Aberdeen this weekend. That is not an easy game. The fans at Tynecastle, they're not usually that patient. When Tynecastle is going great, it's an unbelievable stadium, I think it's the best atmosphere in Scotland, but when it's not going so well...”