Steven Naismith provides updates on Alan Forrest and Kenneth Vargas

Second-half goals from Kenneth Vargas and Lawrence Shankland gave the visitors a two-goal lead at the Tony Macaroni, but it was a nervy finish for the away side after Andrew Shinnie reduced the arrears with 10 minutes to go.

Naismith was asked about his team's performance, the challenges of facing Livingston away from home, and provided updates on the futures of Vargas and Alan Forrest.

Here's everything the Hearts head coach had to say: 

READ MORE: Alan Forrest and Kenneth Vargas step up as Hearts sit pretty in third after Livi win

That’s a positive start to the year for you?

The pitch was rubbish, it was always going to be, so I'm really pleased with the performance. It's not a pitch you're going to get any good football on. It's a battle in these games. If you let the ball bounce, you're in trouble defensively and also the timing of your runs are most important. First half they got the better of the fight, they were picking up second balls. But second half we were much better at that and we had bits of quality. When we made our runs at the right times and played the right passes, we created chances. It was a good day's work.

You mentioned after the Hibs game that you were pleased that the team managed to dig the win out, did you see those same battling qualities today?

You work every day about the main things you want to be as a team. You can get sucked into saying 'but we do this'. But when you play on pitches like this, it's not worth the risk. One of the biggest criticisms but this is another away game where we looked like the team that was going to win. We got ahead, managed it well. We even had the setback of the penalty. I've played in Hearts teams that crumble at that point, and it's a big improvement. They're the pleasing things. We're on a really good run. Overall this end to the year has been brilliant for us, as much as it's been really tough. We've got a well-earned break now.

There has been a lot of talk about Shankland but it was Forrest and Vargas that stepped up today?

They were both really good. For me Al was man of the match. He’s someone who has had to be patient. He’s got really good attributes. I’ve questioned his big moments. Can we get him to be more consistent? He’s worked as hard as anybody in the squad to make sure he gets his opportunity and he’s got it. Hopefully he will sign a new contract soon. He’s a big player for us. Kenneth is someone who has suffered from being used a lot. He’s done a lot of hard yards that nobody appreciates. People have probably expected a bit more. He’s got real quality, he’s impacted the last two games. So really good overall and our game management at the end was really good. It was similar to the Motherwell game. We kept it in the right areas. It was well done. Denholm comes on and helps on that front. We’ve needed our squad in the last month. It’s been really important. Hopefully we are all fresh and ready to go after the break.

Vargas’ finishes today and against County were very composed, that must please you?

He’s got great attributes. I don’t think you can teach someone to be a bit better at finishing. But when it’s needing that calmness, you see so many going through on goal and hitting the keeper or putting it wide. He’s got a calmness and an understanding of how to use his body. He’s young, he’s inexperienced, he’s inconsistent but he will be a really good player.

Could Vargas’ move be made permanent in January?

The way the deal’s structured there is no rush. We are constantly talking to his representatives and the club he has some from and everyone is comfortable with the situation. At the moment I think he is a really good prospect and someone we need to look at potentially keeping. But it needs to be right.

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Shankland missed his penalty but his finish for the winner showed he wasn’t affected by it?

Lawrence is raging that he’s missed two penalties recently. But for the calmness, that’s the easiest part of his game. He’s done it his whole career. It’s a really good finish and he’s not put off by it [the penalty miss]. He then has the chance later on. But it all stems from the good performance of the team. I thought the second half especially we defended really well. They brought on a lot of really physical players, attacking players. We dealt with it as good as you can in those circumstances. Team performance, credit goes to a lot of the forward players for putting in the hard work off the ball and the moments of quality that wins the game.

He’s missed two in a row now, will he be hitting the next one?

That’s his choice. But he will. His record is brilliant. His two missed penalties are the only two he has missed for Hearts. He will still be on them!