The Hearts boss wants his troops to adopt a similar no fear approach he did on his debut in the Nou Camp for Euro group stages.
The Hearts boss wants his troops to adopt exactly the same approach when they hit Europe’s group stages. But Naismith is also aware the gruelling schedule is going to place big demands onto his unit. And the Tynecastle gaffer says the major task next term isn’t to increase a challenge on the Old Firm, but to cement their current status in Scotland through the continental challenges to maintain positive progression in Gorgie.
“I found it hard at the start. When you’re a young player and you have not experienced it before, it’s full on. When you look back, you realise that. But you’re either a player that thrives on it and has that mentality that pushes you over the edge and makes you able to deal with it, or you’re not. In the past two seasons, Hearts themselves under Robbie Neilson and Aberdeen during Barry Robson’s tenure found it tough to maintain consistently high standards in the Premiership during the punishing period of the European commitments. Naismith sees the juggling act ahead and said: “That is probably the most short-term challenge we have. People talk about we need to close the gap , we need to be challenging.
Naismith has the bonus of many individuals such as Craig Gordon, Stephen Kingsley and Lawrence Shankland having been through the balancing act the last time under Neilson. He said: “Yeah, exactly. And the squad needs to take a lot of credit because that season they were in a not bad place by the time they came out of Europe.
Champions League Lionel Messi Hearts FC Rangers FC Scottish Premiership Europa Conference League Europa League
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Steven Naismith in Hearts transfer vow after return to Euro group stage footballThe Tynecastle boss and his troops will juggle the demands of European and domestic football next term.
Read more »
Steven Naismith explains how Hearts will spend Euro jackpotThe Jambos are set to bank around £5million even if they drop out of the Europa League playoffs into the Conference League.
Read more »
Steven Naismith must perfect Hearts Euro balancing acGroup stage football saw the jambos and the Dons struggle domestically and both managers paid for it with their jobs.
Read more »
Steven Naismith demands Hearts pile on Celtic stressNaismith sees no fear in his team and wants them to show it again against the champions.
Read more »
Lawrence Shankland's Hearts heroics deserve every award says Steven NaismithShankland scooped a double at the club ceremony and is in the running for the Scottish PFA gong this weekend.
Read more »
Steven Naismith explains why Hearts' loss to Rangers doesn;t worry himThe Jambos are a point from securing group stage football after a disappointing Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Gers last weekend.
Read more »