Ryan Stevenson reckons Hearts got it wrong with Steven Naismith as Gary Locke was the man for interim role

Good luck to Steven Naismith and Frankie McAvoy as they take the reins at Tynecastle for the remainder of the season.

I sincerely hope they do the job required and are able to salvage the third spot that somehow Hearts have managed to throw away. I have to say this though – it’s the wrong decision. If this was just to see the season out and give Naismith experience then fine. But there’s so much on the line for Hearts as they look to grab that third spot back. One man above all others has the key to the £5million European ticket – Gary Locke.

It might surprise you to hear me say this but I can understand why the board decided to end Robbie Neilson’s stint in charge after Saturday’s defeat by St Mirren. But it will only be the right move if the succession plan has the right man lined up to take over even in the short term. No harm to Naismith as I believe he will go on to be a good manager later in his career. I like the way he conducts himself and he was a great player. He seems well respected in his job taking the youths and the B team.

But right now, with seven games to go, it’s about finishing third. That’s the be-all. And regardless of all the experience Naismith has as a player it’s a massive risk to hand him the reins.

Hearts need a ready-made figurehead. Someone who knows how to walk into the heat of battle at Easter Road on Saturday and body Hibs in their own backyard.

Someone who knows what it means to represent Hearts. And someone who, when the going gets tough, will get the players to fight tooth, nail, blood and thunder for three points.

That man was Locke. A former team-mate and manager of mine who I reckon must have as good a record at Easter Road with Hearts than anyone, he is a diehard, he is in with the