David Marshall brands Hearts boss Steven Naismith a 'PEST' as former teammate delivers cheeky derby takedown

David Marshall reckons Steven Naismith was a PEST as a player - and says he’s seen enough to suggest he's equally annoying as a manager.

The Hibs keeper has major respect for his former Scotland team mate who is now on the opposite side of the Edinburgh derby divide. But he knows all about the Hearts boss’ ability to get under the skin of rivals after the Edinburgh derby in May ended in mayhem.

Pest is the word he reckons best sums him up on the park. But when it comes to control then Marshall is determined to ensure it’s the Hibees in charge of the capital bragging rights by swatting aside Naisy’s Jambos in Leith to make it four without defeat in the fixture. Asked if Naismith was the same on the touchline as he was during his playing career, Marshall replied: “Aye, really annoying! As a team-mate he was someone you wanted on your team but I can tell when the Hibs fans get wound up.

“It’s football and the way he was on the pitch, he was a pest, he was a winner, he was a hard-worker and someone you wanted on your team. He’s taken that into the managerial and coaching side of things but he’s on the other side of the fence now so I hope it doesn’t go too well for him.”

Marshall knows a thing or two about powder keg local rivalries having been at Celtic, Cardiff and Norwich City. And the Hibs number one insists Edinburgh’s version of the demolition derby is as electric as any of them - including the Old Firm.

The shotstopper said: “I didn’t know about it because I hadn’t played in it or been to one but the passion is special. It’s a big derby. The one at the end of last season at Tynecastle, emotions spilled over at the end. We know how much it means.

“It’s been a powder keg fixture so it’s a great advert for Scotland