Steven Naismith can draw Hearts line under cringey Hearts manager debacle that proved a sham - Ryan Stevenson

Let's face it, the whole thing was a sham.

Frankie McAvoy as head coach and Steven Naismith as technical director at Hearts was designed to satisfy UEFA rules over Naisy not having his badges and everybody knows it. So it was no surprise within a week of being knocked out of Europe, the Jambos announced Naisy is back as head coach with Frankie as his No.2.

I’m sure that on the training ground throughout the European stint, Naisy would still have been calling the shots, so on the face of it you’d think nothing will really change. But the reality is very different. That period was unsettling. Amateurish, even. Remember the interview they both did with Frankie claiming he had the final say on team matters, while Steven stood beside him looking so uncomfortable? It was cringey and didn’t cast Hearts in a good light. Made them figures of fun in some quarters and that kind of thing can seep into the dressing room and get into players’ heads.

And let’s be honest here – the results on the pitch have been nowhere near good enough. The Thursday-Sunday-Thursday routine has seen players look leggy and lethargic and confidence has taken a battering.

Losing both legs against PAOK can happen and they were unlucky in the Tynecastle clash. But losing at Dundee and at home to Motherwell is a different matter. Those are the results that drain the belief of players and fans alike. That’s why the international break has come at a great time for my former club. Everyone can take a deep breath, sort out their heads and Naisy can draw a line under everything that has happened so far and tell his players that the season starts now.

He’ll have time to work with the new signings on the training ground to get them properly settled in as it has