Steven Naismith says Hearts have come a long way over the last year as he celebrates penning a new contract at Tynecastle Park.
The boss has committed his future to Heart of Midlothian until 2026, alongside his assistants Frankie McAvoy, Gordon Forrest, and goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher.
After first taking over in an interim capacity towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign, the quartet has since guided the club back into Europe and the upper echelons of the William Hill Premiership.
And Naismith puts that down the strides made off the park, and the team culture instilled within the building at the club’s Oriam training base.
“It’s a reflection of the hard work behind the scenes and the success we’ve had so far,” he explained.
“There’s been strides forward in recruitment, in bringing guys like Lee Wallace and Angus Beith to the U18s, right through to the facilities (at Oriam) getting better. It’s been a good first year.
“We all fit well together. Right from the off, Frankie and Gordy were two people who were high on my list of coaches I wanted to work with. It’s a good dynamic, where everyone is comfortable speaking their mind.
“It’s not just us. It’s the analysts. The performance staff and physios. Only by having an environment where everyone can speak their mind, will I be able to make the best, and informed, decisions for the team.
“Everything now from the facilities to the chefs that prepare our food, I honestly believe we’re up there with the best in the league in that respect.
“I’m much more comfortable with certain aspects of management now. Whether that’s a hard conversation with anyone at the club, there’s no coaching badge for that. That all comes with experience.”
