8 next Hearts manager candidates to replaced axed Steven Naismith from McInnes to Starlizard pick

Eight defeats on the bounce would put any manager in deep trouble. Couple that with no wins all season, four months since the last one and sitting bottom of the league, then the writing was well and truly on the wall for Steven Naismith.

Hearts pulled the trigger on Sunday afternoon, confirming that Naismith, along with coaches Frankie McAvoy and Gordon Forrest have been axed - just weeks after being handed three-year deals following a goalless draw with Rangers on the opening day. That was to prove the highlight of Naismith's season as the Jambos lurched from one defeat to the next.

He now won't get the chance to lead the Gorgie Boys into their Europa Conference League campaign that starts at the beginning of next month. However, having meekly exited the Europa League at the playoff stage, then fans will argue that someone else deserves a crack on the continent.

The Tynecastle club will confirm the next steps in due course, although it's almost certain that B team boss Liam Fox will step up and take the team for next Saturday's home clash with Ross County at least.

Beyond then, Record Sport takes a look at who could be in the frame to fill Naismith's shoes.

The name on many fans' lips and after guiding Kilmarnock to Europe leas season with a no nonsense approach, you can see why. However, he seems to have suffered in a similar way to Naismith this term, just not as extremely. An impressive Conference League victory over Tromso came on the back of exiting the Europa League against Cercle Brugge, while Copenhagen proved too strong.

In the league however, Hearts are the only side with a worse record than Killie. They are also winless this season, have scored the same paltry number of goals and have conceded just one more,