Hearts moved five points clear at the top of the Championship thanks to a comfortable 3-1 win over Arbroath. The Tynecastle side also have a game in hand on nearest challengers Dunfermline, and after only nine games played they must be clear favourites to win the league and return to the Premiership.
The story of the game though is all about one man – Hearts captain Steven Naismith. The veteran striker scored a first-half hat-trick in only seven minutes, a remarkable achievement.
Performed well this season
Naismith was always going to be a key man for Hearts this season, as he has seen and done it all at a high level in both Scotland and England. It is no surprise that he has performed well for the Tynecastle side this season. Robbie Neilson will be delighted with the win, and how Hearts have responded to the Scottish Cup loss to Celtic by scoring eight goals in two games.
Steven Naismith celebrates scoring against Arbroath (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, some Hearts fans on social media were delighted by Naismith’s performance. One fan went as far as to claim that the player was the best in Scotland.
In company with Hearts legend
Whist another saluted the fact that Naismith is the first Hearts player to score more than one hat-trick for the club since the legendary Rudi Skacel. That is some great company for Naismith to be in.
Naismith will get the chance to add to his goal tally on Saturday, when Hearts take on third placed Dundee. That could be a difficult game for Hearts. However, don’t be surprised if Naismith manages to add to his goal tally.
Steven Naismith’s hat-trick led Hearts to a comfortable win (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter to Naismith’s fast hat-trick:
A second Hearts hat trick for Steven Naismith. First player since Rudi Skacel to get more than one
— 🇱🇻 Hearts Stats 📊 (@heartsstats) December 29, 2020
Steven Naismith is magic
— Colin Baillie (@noddy18) December 29, 2020
Naismith without doubt the best player in the Scottish game👍🏻
— Declan Murdoch (@declan_murdoch_) December 29, 2020
Naismith goat
— dylan fordyce (@DylanFordyce) December 29, 2020
Steven Naismith my hero
— Conor 🇱🇻 (@ConorElen_16) December 29, 2020
I spelt Steven Naismith wrong https://t.co/xhDsQoPbhv
— Alan 🇱🇻🇱🇹 (@AlanBM91) December 29, 2020
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