Steven Naismith: Data-driven recruitment can only help Derek McInnes at Hearts

Former Hearts head coach Steven Naismith believes Derek McInnes can thrive at the club and will get huge help from shareholder Tony Bloom’s data analytics.

McInnes took charge at Tynecastle last month and is looking to guide the Tynecastle club to success next season.

The former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss comes into a role where he will have the input of data and analysis from Jamestown Analytics for player signings, marking a difference from recruitment at his previous clubs.

Hearts have already been busy in the transfer market shaping Mcinnes’ squad for next season, with Claudio Braga, Stuart Findlay, Elton Kabangu, Alexandros Kyzirigis, Oisin McEntee and Christian Borchgrevink already added.

Naismith believes the data-driven approach means there’s a higher chance of each player being a success and that can only be a boost for an experienced manager who already has a lot to bring to the club.

“Del has used all of his experience,” he said. “I think it’s different to most of his jobs that he’s had in terms of the structure.

“But from his comments, and from what I felt when I was in the role hearing about Jamestown coming in, it’s a massive positive.

“In this day and age where every transfer is a risk, if you can minimise that risk to the detail that they can at Jamestown, I’m pretty certain they’ll get more transfers right than wrong.

“For any manager you do want the signings in as quick as you can. They’ve managed to do that.

“I’m pretty sure there’ll still be quite a bit of change, whether it’s players going out or more bodies coming in.”

Naismith was in charge at Hearts for just over a year before being sacked in September 2024.

He said he had enjoyed advice from McInnes in the past and knew that he had the skills to drive Hearts forward.

“Del was fantastic for in terms of his advice and communication over the years,” he said.

“I do think he is the right person for where Hearts are at the moment and to quide them to where their expectations are.

“He’s somebody who can consistently improve teams and get them more success than they have had.

“He took Kilmarnock from the Championship to Europe and obviously had success at Aberdeen as well

“I think for the club and for Derek it’s a good fit.”

Steven Naismith appeared courtesy of William Hill and the Warm-Up, SPFL Title Sponsor.