Can Naismith continue to quiet the discontent?

Sean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland

Just at the start of the month, some wondered if the writing was on the wall for Steven Naismith's Tynecastle tenure.

It seemed as though many Hearts fans were at the end of their tether when they headed for an early exit at Hampden following a meek semi-final performance against Rangers.

Now, as November draws to a close, there's a real argument that Naismith is the frontrunner to be named manager of the month.

He may be the only Premiership boss with a perfect record over the past 30 days, but it's fair to say that there's still work to do to win over a fanbase with high expectations and long memories.

The first step to further quieting that discontent is by picking up Hearts' fourth consecutive Premiership win for the first time in over five years.

Doing so will require prevailing at one of the division's toughest venues as they come up against a Kilmarnock side unbeaten in their last five in the comfort of Rugby Park.

After beating struggling opposition in Livingston, Motherwell and St Johnstone, Hearts now must navigate a truly tricky fixture, having last won a league game in Ayrshire in 2018.

Victory would not only nourish Naismith's relationship with the support, it would also lift Hearts to the third for 24 hours at least.

It's a position the Gorgie faithful feel that their side belong. If Naismith is to continue to change the tide, his first task is getting them there this weekend.

Then, for Naismith to endear himself to the fans who hailed him both as a player and as interim manager, it's just the small matter of staying there.