Hearts chiefs hit back as Steven Naismith football branded 'horrific' by fuming fans at spiky AGM

Ann Budge and Andrew McKinlay fielded questions from fuming Hearts fans at the club's AGM - defending Steven Naismith from accusations he plays 'horrific' football.

The chair and CEO of the Gorgie club met shareholders in the Gorgie Suite at Tynecastle which came at a time of mixed opinions among the fanbase about boss Naismith and performances on the pitch. He was named Premiership manager of the month for November and the Jambos will go third in the table if they win their game in hand, but recent defeats to Rangers and most damningly Aberdeen have cooled the optimism which was returning.

One shareholder had a spiky question for the directors, asking: "Are the board happy with the management team? The football on the pitch is horrific."

Budge responded though by assuring the fan Naismith 'wasn't the cheap or easy option' before McKinlay added: "We understand the strength of feeling around it and we take that on board."

More questions from the frustrated floor flooded in and one fan, who said he still supports Naismith, said he was 'completely underwhelmed' by what he sees on a Saturday. That comment was met by applause as the fan went on to ask why the board believe Naismith can turn it around.

McKinlay responded to that one as he said: "I base it on we did have a four-game unbeaten run. Steven is currently the manager of the month. You can laugh at it but it is a fact. Steven and Robbie are football people. They both understand it's a results business. Robbie said to me 'I know why you made that decision, I understand it'. Steven gets it as well. I can't say everything is going to be brilliant. I understand your frustrations."

Budge added: "One of the things Steven talks about a lot is mentality. He talks about the