Zander Clark in Steven Naismith's corner for Hearts job battle after withstanding the heat in derby 'cauldron'

Zander Clark says the Hearts squad are thrilled to have given Steven Naismith a fighting chance of landing the manager’s job.

The caretaker boss is set for talks with club chiefs after stepping into the role following Robbie Neilson’s exit last month and while the Scotland coach couldn’t wrestle third spot back off Aberdeen, he did steady the ship to secure fourth ahead of Hibs and land a European place.

Clark reckons Naismith’s case will have been strengthened by Saturday’s 10-men derby draw as the Jambos managed to hang on for the point they needed to finish top dogs in Edinburgh. The Scotland keeper said: “He’s been great since he came in. He’s exactly the same as a manager as he was as a player – he’s not afraid to dig you out and have a pop at you when you deserve it. He also knows how to put an arm around you.

“It’s outwith my control what happens there. But I’m just glad we could pick up the result he needed for him in the derby. He’s got us back to wanting to play football in their half, making the opposition defences work. It’s not that we weren’t doing that prior. It’s just that, as players, we couldn’t seem to get it going.

“Naisy coming in has brought a new voice, he’s been positive, he was delighted to be given the opportunity and that brought positivity back into the changing room. We were on a poor run of form, confidence was low. It was just us searching for that form we knew was within us.

“We knew there was quality in the squad. He’s helped us bring it out. He demands high standards. At Hearts, you need that week in, week out. He certainly drives that.”

Naismith was involved in a touchline bust up with Hibs gaffer Lee Johnson after the final whistle – which kicked off a full-scale brawl. But Clark said: