Hearts interim boss Steven Naismith admits finishing third IS the goal but insists his side are doomed to fail if they get their mindset wrong.
The man who replaced Robbie Neilson raised eyebrows when he claimed finishing best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers was not the be all and end all – despite Jambos chief Andrew McKinlay stressing the importance of overhauling Aberdeen after axeing the manager in the wake of five consecutive defeats.
Naismith's first game in charge did not go to plan as they were downed by rivals Hibs and they now sit five points behind the Reds with six games remaining. And the former Scotland star is unbowed and reckons a change in approach will reap rewards as they chase down Aberdeen. Speaking on Sky Sports, Naismith said: "From the club's point of view third is the aim. It has got to be the aim because three years ago we were in the Championship. Strides have been made, you get the taste of European football and what comes from that is expectation. Now the club has got to strive to be better. In the background there are lots of good things going on.
