Steven Naismith makes his assessment of Celtic clear ahead of Hearts visit to Glasgow

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Steven Naismith knows how difficult the task is for his Hearts side as they prepare to visit Celtic Park on Saturday.

Hearts have only picked up a single point in their opening four Scottish Premiership fixtures, at home to Rangers on the opening day.

Since then they’ve suffered six consecutive defeats in all competitions at home and abroad, unable to score enough goals or effectively shut out a wide range of opponents.

It doesn’t bode well for them now visiting Glasgow for what Naismith believes will be their ‘toughest’ test to date.

Hearts boss Steven Naismith talks up Celtic’s quality

Although still believing his side can get a result as the underdogs, Naismith is under no illusions and believes Celtic present significant danger to his travelling outfit this weekend.

The Hearts manager said [Edinburgh Reporter]: “It is going to be the toughest game we have had all season. Celtic have started well, they have recruited, the players they signed last year you can now see they are comfortable and so it will be a tough game, but one I feel we can get a result.

“They are a team that has loads of quality in every area of the pitch and they can hurt you in a split second. They want the game played fast, they want to take things quickly, and, in the final third, they look for one v ones and they have good runners from midfield.

“We will need to defend well and we need to have a threat. In games against the top teams you can’t sit and defend for 90 minutes. We are going to have to be good in possession as well as out.”

What Brendan Rodgers has said about Hearts

Meanwhile, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers reckons that the Tynecastle club will improve under Naismith.

In a media conference today, he said: “In terms of points, it’s probably been a challenge for Steven, with European football as well. They will improve, and I don’t have any other thoughts on that other than they will improve.

“It’s still very early on in the season. I believe I’m right in saying Steven signed a new contract in the summer, so he clearly feels wanted and appreciated by the club, so they want him to continue with the work. They’ll be expected to improve, but I’m pretty sure they will.

“For me, we just have to be ready for a really good game. We’re in a really good mood to keep our performance levels as high as possible and make it as difficult as we can for Hearts tomorrow.”

Celtic had mixed fortunes against the Edinburgh club last term, winning four but losing two, including a defeat at Celtic Park.

They do offer a threat when in form but with confidence low in the capital, Celtic fans are hoping to catch them on another bad day.