Steven Naismith: Relaxed about bids for Lawrence Shankland

Lawrence Shankland scored either side of half-time to seal three well-earned points as the men in maroon secured a second 2-0 victory on the trot.

Naismith spoke to the media after the match where the former Scotland internationalist was asked about interest in Shankland in the January transfer window, the team's tactical set-up, and an encouraging afternoon for Craig Halkett.

Here's everything the head coach had to say: 

That must be a really good win? 

Yeah, it’s pleasing. After games you go through each part. The result, good. Two goals, good. Clean sheet, good. So it is really pleasing against a team who have been really good this season. I said before the game that they are probably the best-organised team in the league, and they probably got the better of us in the first half on the front. We didn’t manage to break their press well enough and I think that is probably for me and the coaches to take on the chin. There were moments in the first half when we did and those led to opportunities. The goal came from a corner that comes after a good bit of play, but we didn’t do it enough. That was probably due to the way we were set up. The game develops and opens up after the first goal, as most games at Tynie are going to be like. The first goal is pivotal, the game opens up and we get more chances, and then we become quite comfortable. I don’t think we had too much to fear in terms of chances, which again is pleasing. 

Shankland’s first goal was a trademark header but you’ll struggle to see a better goal than his second this season? 

The first one – we have probably had a bit of credit for our set pieces for and against, and that’s another one. We have bodies in the right place for the first contact, the challenge and then Shanks is instinctively in the right place as a forward. For the second one, that’s just instinct. He is a goal scorer first and foremost. As soon as he takes his first touch he knows what he is doing. There’s no panic, there’s no rushed feeling. As soon as it leaves his boot he knows it’s a goal, 100 per cent. I have been there myself. It’s top, top quality but that’s Shanks. That shows you his value to us. 

You changed the shape today, what was the thinking behind that? 

St Mirren are really good and well organised, and it’s really important to break their press. If you don’t break their press then they control the game and it becomes a bit stop-start and it can be difficult. We wanted to get a few players who are good in 1v1 situations on the pitch. It was a game that was going to take time. The things we did well in the first half we did really well and then we got the goal, which helps. The game then opens up and we could probably get more goals and make more chances. Wanting things to be perfect – when we are two up and the game is stretched, we need our first thought to be getting forward a wee bit more. But we were comfortable and could have made it three or four towards the end as it was. But I think we could have made more chances. 

Is there a concern that there might be interest in Shankland in January? 

I think there is already interest in him. There is going to be. When you have got players playing at the top of their game there is going to be interest. Every club in Scotland are in that same category where we are not at the elite, top level where you can just push away anyone being interested in your players – but that doesn’t change anything. We are a club that’s in a really good situation. We are progressive and we want to get better as a business, better as a football squad – and having Shanks is that. So no, everyone is comfortable. The pleasing aspect is that he is doing so well. It’s credit to the team, credit to Shanks and credit to us all as a group. There is going to be interest when you are doing well. 

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There was a moment when Zander was receiving treatment and you could hear how much the crowd wanted Craig to come on. How is Zander finding that pressure, and how are you finding it?

I think they are just happy that Craig is back from the injury that he had. I think that’s where the fans’ feeling comes from. Zander has done incredibly well in the last year for us. He has gone on to make his Scotland debut. You are going to have competition at Hearts and you have to be comfortable with it. We haven’t even really spoken about it. At international level and at club level you need it. If you have not got it then you can get stale and comfortable. Today he had one really good save and he looks as though he is dealing with the situation perfectly.

How important is it to have momentum going into the derby?

Building consistency with our results is the thing. But we have got this tight period where I think if you can do well in that then it sets you up well for the rest of the season. So we are just taking each day as it comes. The derby maybe changes the dynamic slightly – there will be a bit more nerves an energy in the game, and players and staff are probably a bit more pumped. But we have got to be clear in our minds about how we are going to win the game.

How pleased were you with Craig Halkett’s performance?

Good, really good. He is somebody who is probably one of a few in this generation with the old-fashioned values where he is a defender first and foremost. He is aggressive, he is solid, but he is good on the ball. That’s why he came into the team. I thought he did a really good job in his first game back and that first start back is a bit of a moment. You have your sub appearances where you just go on and do it, whereas he has had time to think about starting and how he will get through it.

Will Liam Boyce be fit for Wednesday?

It’s tight. I’m reluctant to say he will be available and I’m reluctant to say he will be out for a period. He is close but I am not willing to risk him because he is too valuable.

Stephen Kingsley was on the bench, will he be alright?

He will be fine. He could have came on today, it was more down to selection with the amount of games that we have got, the freshness, and making sure everybody is in good condition.