Steven Naismith insists he does not fear for the future of his friendship with Robert Snodgrass after the axed Hearts ace vowed to spill the beans on his controversial Jambos departure.
The Tynecastle caretaker boss raised eyebrows last week when he chose to make his first act after replacing Robbie Neilson the binning of his former Scotland team-mate. The decision stunned the Gorgie faithful and left Snodgrass reeling.
The 35-year-old chose to keep his own counsel until yesterday morning, when he took to social media vowing to tell all on his shock split when the time was right. But Naismith insists he has no problem with the veteran midfield ace having his say. Asked if he felt his relationship could come back from the events of the past week, the interim Jambos boss said: "I don't think there's anything to come back from. I had an honest conversation with him, he was disappointed.
“We understand our relationship and what's been for the last 25 years since youth football. What will be will be. It certainly won't damage my relationship with Snoddy.”
Asked if he was disappointed in Snodgrass’ comments, Naismith added: “No. That is the first time Snoddy has said anything. He has the right to his say.
“Inevitably when change happens he is going to be disappointed. To be honest, I don't expect to speak about it again.
“It has not been mentioned since day one until now and I can’t see why it will be mentioned again.”
The former Leeds, Norwich and West Ham ace’s Twitter post thanked Neilson and his right-hand man Lee McCulloch for allowing him the opportunity to return to Scotland after 14 years south of the border.
But there was no mention of Naismith and some have viewed his comments as a swipe at the harmony levels inside the Tynecastle dressing room. He wrote: "Just want to thank Hearts for giving me the opportunity to pull on the jersey and play back in the Scottish game.
“Big thanks to the fans for making me feel loved again, your support has been superb home and away. I would like to thank Robbie Neilson and Lee McCulloch for bringing me to play football in a really good team.
"I was emotionally attached to and determined for us to kick on. The previous six weeks had been a real challenge for us all. But that's when a TEAM sticks TOGETHER. Digs in and fights for the guy next to you.
“I was in for the fight and desperate for third place but that chance was sadly taken away from me. It left me gutted and disappointed.
"I wish the club all the best for the rest of the season. I loved working with a great set of boys, helping and developing the younger boys' game. The amount of positive texts I've received from the dressing room leaves me no doubt I've made friends for life.
"I will definitely tell my side of the story but right now isn't the appropriate moment, out of respect to my team and the supporters. The focus has to be on third place. Hope the boys smash it.”
But Naismith is adamant there is no split amongst his squad. He said: “There is harmony. Last week proved that.
“Every player wanted to turn up at Easter Road. All the injured players came up and said we want to be there and be part of the group. That is coming from them.
“Like I said before, when I spoke to Snoddy he was disappointed and rightly so. But all I have seen is every player giving their all and engaging in what we are asking them to do.
“The level of training has been very good. That comes from players who have not had a look-in now thinking they have a chance of playing.
“Others want to impress to stay in the team. That’s how it works.
“Since I took over there has not been one player I’ve thought is not at the level we need. I cannot say anything about the group other than good things. They have worked really hard and are trying to do the right thing.”
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