Kent Q&A: Hearts leader, adapting to SPFL, Celtic threat

The summer signing from Peterborough United has emerged as a key player for Steven Naismith. He talked about facing the Scottish championship, his past relationship with the league leaders' coach Gavin Strachan, how he has adapted to Scottish football and his search for his first goal.

Here is everything he had to say:

Is it games like this one coming up which made you want to join?

These are the games you want to be involved in, playing against the best teams and testing yourself. Last week was my first taste of the derby and now I'm moving on to another big game.

What have you made of Celtic?

They are obviously doing well. They are a big team and a good club, they've got a load of good players. I'm looking forward to testing myself.

What has the manager said to you personally about facing Celtic front line?

He hasn't said too much. I know I've just got to stay as concentrated as I can. It's going to be a tough game as they like to dominate the ball. It's about staying alive and staying focused.

READ MORE: Frankie Kent: How Hearts have filled the Halkett void

The way Celtic play, is it more about concentration and focus rather than a physical battle?

I think so. They play a certain style of football and we probably haven't come up against that this season as much - maybe in the European games. We've got to go in with confidence for our game plan and try and stick to it as much as possible, go full steam ahead.

Football can be a small world, do you know anyone at Celtic?

The only guy I know is Strachan. He was my assistant coach at Peterborough. It will be good to see him. We had a good relationship and he helped me a lot, which was nice of him.

Did you expect to play every minute when you joined?

I obviously wanted to come up here and play. I knew I had to get into the team first. I've enjoyed coming up here, a new style and culture, a new league. I've enjoyed every minute of it so far. There's obviously been ups and downs but that's football, that'll happen throughout the season. Hopefully that'll continue and touch wood, I stay fit and keep progressing as a team.

How have you found the change from English football where it is intense, Tuesday-Saturday?

The last couple of years, there's been a lot of Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. It's constant. In some ways it's nice to have the switch off for the week, but in a lot of ways you don't really take too much notice, you get your head down and get on with it. The first month here we had nine games. You just take it in your stride. It's going to take time for everyone to get used to the style of play but I think in the last month or so, the new boys - including me - have got used to what the manager wants to do and play.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith Hearts Q&A - Celtic prep, injury plans, tickets

How have you settled into the dressing room? You seem to be a leader already?

I’ve been fine, I feel like I’m quite an easy-going person, so I got along with everyone straight away. All the boys were so welcoming, and that’s made it very easy to bond and get into the team dynamics. It’s been very easy to get involved and go from there.

You seem to have found your voice quite quickly?

“It’s something I’ve had to learn from playing at quite a young age. Something I’ve always been is quite vocal. It helps me as well, to stay concentrated and get everyone else where I think they should be. It keeps me switched on.

Did it come naturally early in your career?

“Yes, and no. I suppose going into the first-team at quite a young age, I didn’t feel like I could be as vocal as what I probably was in my own age group. It takes some time to get used to it. But the dressing room thing and feeling comfortable in that has allowed me to do that.

Was there a player you looked to in terms of leadership skills?

“Not really. I’ve been quite lucky with being naturally able to do and say what I wanted. It’s just been pretty natural in terms of taking experiences on that I’ve had in the past and learning from them. I’m not saying I’m the finished article or anything like that, I’m always here to learn if anyone has anything to say to me. If they’re telling me where to go or this, that and the other then I’ll always take it on. I’ve been lucky with the people around me who have helped me from when I was younger to get to the position I’m in today.

How influential was Gavin Strachan?

He was just very hands-on with me. When I came up I was at Colchester, so the league below, and then went up to League One. He was always helping me, in terms of the technical side, and also watching video with him and stuff like that. Just little bits of learning. I can’t really thank him enough for what he helped me with.

Was that under Darren Ferguson?

I found out that Scottish link as soon as I signed, so that was good.

READ MORE: What Hearts can expect from Celtic - and how to beat them

Results against Rangers and Celtic haven’t been great. Hearts should be looking to give anyone a hard time at home surely?

Yes. We know how much of a big team Celtic is and they are a very good team with very good players. But we don’t want to be there just to make up the numbers, we’re there to win the game. It’s three points, that’s all it is. I think we’ve got to reiterate that to ourselves, that it is three points, and we should be doing everything to try to win the game and set out our game-plan.

Can your experiences playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Wednesday help you peak for this run of games coming up? 

It’s only going to help. It’ll be my first taste of playing them back to back. But I’ve spoken to the boys, they’ve experienced it all, and it’s one to look forward to. I don’t think you should be looking at it any other way, really, testing yourself against probably the best two teams in the country at the minute. I’m just looking forward to it.

Will these games capture attention south of the border?

I’m still close with boys at Peterborough and other boys and they’ve already seen it’s going to be on telly, and they’ll be watching. It should be good. No pressure. Fingers crossed I can get my first goal.