Steven Naismith puts Hearts Viaplay Cup glory in his sights as he tells stars 'winning trophies is all that counts'

Steven Naismith says the only success that counts in football is winning trophies - and he's challenged his Hearts stars to go one step closer to doing just that by beating Kilmarnock this week.

It's been a mixed start to life as Hearts head coach in his own right for Naismith as his team followed up an impressive win over Aberdeen with defeat away to St Mirren. It left sections of the away support furious after a third defeat in just six Premiership games left them sixth in the table, behind rivals Hibs and already off the pace in the race for Europe.

But they'll get the chance to restore the positive mood this Tuesday as they head to Kilmarnock for a Viaplay Cup quarter-final, knowing a win in Ayrshire will send them to Hampden and within two games of lifting the trophy. And Naismith, who won the trophy twice among six major honours with Rangers, reckons going all the way and winning silverware is the only kind of success that counts.

He said: "The day-to-day and the week-to-week, signing a new contract or playing X amount of games, that's one achievement.

"But if you want real success, that's defined by winning trophies. As a player I managed to do that and I know what it takes. Hopefully us as a squad can do it."

Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can also sign up to our dedicated Rangers and Celtic newsletters and follow the Rangers and Celtic podcast pages to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.