Steven Naismith reckons that he and his backroom staff are on the right track at Heart of Midlothian after the former Scotland internationalist picked up his first-ever Glen's Premiership Manager of the Month award.

The head coach guided his team to victory in all three of their league outings in November, and the men in maroon carried that form into December too after defeating Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park at the weekend.

Naismith was pleased that the team’s efforts were recognised with the award, although he was quick to stress that it was a collective achievement.

READ MORE: Naismith's show of faith and bravery on ball - how Hearts overcame Killie threat

“It probably gives you the understanding that we are on the right path,” Naismith told Sky Sports. “We had a tricky start to the season in terms of balancing European football, coming back into the league campaign, and meeting the demands of the club.

“We have then found a bit of consistency, which is really good. The award is a bit of recognition for everybody at the club. There are so many people behind the scenes who do so much day-to-day who probably don’t get their value appreciated by everybody, but internally we really appreciate them.

“All season, whenever we have not got results, it has been fine margins. A lot of the games, we have done some really good stuff in them and then maybe one aspect has let us down.

“It is about bringing it all together and probably having a focus on all the individual parts for each player when we’re in and out of possession – and then managing games as well. Over the piece, that consistency and hard work we put in early on is starting to show.”

It wasn’t so long ago that Naismith himself was under pressure from a section of the Hearts support, with some calling for his removal during a challenging period of form. The head coach, however, accepts the fickle nature of football management.

“That’s modern-day football, modern-day management,” he reasoned. “That need for instant success is there and if it’s not, it’s not good enough.

READ MORE: Upturn in away form, stick from fans, Rangers test and Euros draw - Shankland Q&A

“Again, internally, we have been very comfortable with it all. We have been in the game long enough to understand how you need to get something that has longevity.

“It takes time and people make mistakes. The important thing then is to learn from them, and you then get good results, which we have done through November and the start of December.”