Steven Naismith reveals Hearts methods for avoiding Premiership third place collapse repeat

Steven Naismith insists NOW is when Hearts can start looking at what wins might win for their season.

The Jambos hold an 11 point lead in third over nearest challengers Kilmarnock, who are the visitors to Tynecastle on Saturday. They held a similar advantage over Aberdeen at one point last term, although with much more games still to be played. However, that collapse still lingers in the back of fans' minds, despite it being highly unlikely Naismith and his met won't finish as best of the rest.

But the Hearts boss has explained that focusing on the small wins, rather than the overall big picture, ensures that there isn't an opportunity to just try and do enough and risk Killie catching up to make things uncomfortable - provided his players do their jobs. Naismith said: "I said at the start of the season about looking ahead. Each result in August, September, what can it do for us? Now we're going into the period when we can look at what each win will do for us.

"For us individually, that's what we need to focus on. We've got a semi-final in this block of games coming up that's really important. We've got a healthy squad, there's competition and it's an enjoyable time. The weather turns and all the reward for a hard, successful season is there for you to enjoy if you do it properly.

"The way we work, it's about the small progressions that make the difference and I think if you focus on them, there's not an opportunity to have a foot off the gas moment or just do enough to get to the end of the season. We've got a competitive squad we feel is young - we've got the second youngest squad in the league - sp there's loads of potential there.

"Each individual has the point they want to improve. We also want to get that 10th away