Steven Naismith insists Robert Snodgrass is still his pal despite Hearts axe and midfielder's exit vow

Steven Naismith insists he does not fear for the future of his friendship with Robert Snodgrass after the axed Hearts ace vowed to spill the beans on his controversial Jambos departure.

The Tynecastle caretaker boss raised eyebrows last week when he chose to make his first act after replacing Robbie Neilson the binning of his former Scotland team-mate. The decision stunned the Gorgie faithful and left Snodgrass reeling.

The 35-year-old chose to keep his own counsel until yesterday morning, when he took to social media vowing to tell all on his shock split when the time was right. But Naismith insists he has no problem with the veteran midfield ace having his say. Asked if he felt his relationship could come back from the events of the past week, the interim Jambos boss said: "I don't think there's anything to come back from. I had an honest conversation with him, he was disappointed.

“We understand our relationship and what's been for the last 25 years since youth football. What will be will be. It certainly won't damage my relationship with Snoddy.”

Asked if he was disappointed in Snodgrass’ comments, Naismith added: “No. That is the first time Snoddy has said anything. He has the right to his say.

“Inevitably when change happens he is going to be disappointed. To be honest, I don't expect to speak about it again.

“It has not been mentioned since day one until now and I can’t see why it will be mentioned again.”

The former Leeds, Norwich and West Ham ace’s Twitter post thanked Neilson and his right-hand man Lee McCulloch for allowing him the opportunity to return to Scotland after 14 years south of the border.

But there was no mention of Naismith and some have viewed his comments as a swipe at the harmony levels inside