Andy Halliday has admitted Steven Naismith had every right to accuse his Hearts players of coasting as he looks to make a big impact this year after struggling last term.
Naisy tore into the Jambos not long after his appointment as interim boss, following Robbie Neilson’s exit as the Gorgie outfit were in free-fall and sacrificed third place to Aberdeen. Halliday confessed that it stung at the time but that he had no arguments with his old team-mate's comments having watched his side slip to seven defeats in eight.
Halliday said: “You don’t feel like it’s coasting, but subconsciously as a player you feel sorry for yourself because you’re losing games, and it’s affecting your mood. You don’t have time for that, though, especially post-split where every match matters. Thankfully we got enough points at the end to sneak fourth. But we certainly want to go one better this year.”
READ MORE: Hearts star Lawrence Shankland in Josh Ginnelly 'make you look good' tease after Swansea City move
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Naismith’s lack of a Uefa Pro Licence has seen him named technical director. In the meantime, Frankie McAvoy is head coach and will have the final say on team matters.
But Halliday says Naismith’s influence on everything at Tynecastle remains huge, as he added: “It’s been really enjoyable. I had Naisy as a team-mate for a year.
“That’s no different to him as a coach. He’s desperate to win and demands the same standards he put on himself. At the time he came in, that was exactly what the squad needed.
“We let too much slackness into our game and training. Winning is a habit, so is working hard, and when you don’t win for seven games it can be hard to get out of that rut.
“You need a bit of luck and freshness. Naisy and the coaching staff came in and, although the results weren’t perfect, the performances were vastly improved on the month before.
“We’re delighted the board took the decision to keep Naisy and the rest of the staff because we definitely see a plan to improve. The balance between him, Frankie and Gordon Forrest is really good. “
They have different characteristics and gel well. Frankie has an older head, he’s been round the block and has a bit more experience. The experience all three have at youth level is vital too.
“We have nine young players here and it’s important for them to show their quality — if they are good enough, they will play. I’m a big believer in youth coming through in Scotland. We don’t give enough of a platform to them.
“Fundamentally, they need to be good enough, but there must be chances there for them if they show they have the quality.”
Halliday also knows he needs to meet the same high standards as he enters the final year of his contract having felt his performance levels dropped off over the closing weeks of the previous campaign.
And he went on to detail the 'best advice he'd ever had' from a manager as he looks to kick on next term following a conversation with Phil Parkinson.
Halliday added: “All my stats towards the start of pre-season have been the best I’ve been for a number of years. I’m under no illusions this is a big year for myself.
“Phil Parkinson gave me the best advice I’ve ever had from a manager. When I looked at my season last year, I was happy with it.
"But Phil said when we were trying to make the play-offs with Bradford that fans only remember the last six games of the season. For how well I felt I performed, in terms of consistency, that was the worst period for me last season.
“I only played twice, but the St Mirren game I was nowhere near good enough. Through the whole summer I was left to stew on that and not finishing in third.
“I look back at what Phil said and he was spot on. I sacrificed my summer as much as I could to come back in the best condition possible.
“It’s up to me and the squad now to continue that in pre-season to give ourselves the best chance of success."
