Steven Naismith, Hearts’ head coach, believes his men can earn a result at St Mirren on Saturday (kick-off 15.00).

The former Scotland international told a pre-match briefing at Riccarton that he has full confidence in his men but side-stepped media talk about a the possibility of a multi-million pound investment in the Jambos from Brighton boss Tony Bloom.

Naismith (pictured with some of his backroom staff by Nigel Duncan) said: “I am not in a position to talk about that. I have more important things to concern me, like the result tomorrow (at St Mirren).”

He added: “It’s been a tough start, and there have been some poor moments, but our play against Celtic was all right compared to what happened during the week (in Europe), and we have been punished for every mistake we have made.

“I don’t think that will continue and I think we will get a bit of luck in some respects, but we need to make more chances and take more chances and that has to be the short-term fix.

“When I am saying we need to be better at this and that it is ultimately my mistake and my problem but, as I have said continuously this season, we work tirelessly on the pitch and the players are really responsive to it.

“They are really trying and the results will pick up.”

Some of Hearts’ new players are getting more comfortable and he added: “I have full confidence in the squad and believe that we can get a result tomorrow (at St Mirren).”

Naismith added: “Last season we won games consistently and that got us a good run. I do think you will see us progress and consistency will come. Ultimately, we need to win games to get that confidence back.

“The clear message is that we stick to what we are doing and there is a calmness around us. There is a frustration in the fans but, ultimately, we need to get results. As I have said, we work hard and the squad are really receptive. This squad is up for the fight and players want to get in the team to win games.”   

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