Steven Naismith Reveals Brendan Rodgers’ Classy Gesture Before Weekend Match

Celtic broke Hearts in a dominant 2-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.

The Bhoys weren’t up to the standard they have reached throughout the 2024/25 campaign so far, but they remained good enough to put the Jambos to the sword.

Arne Engels opened the scoring from the spot early in the second half before Luke McCowan struck late on to seal the points for the Hoops.

It was a difficult one to take for Hearts manager Steven Naismith. His side remains winless in what has been a dismal start to the season.

Going into the weekend’s clash at Parkhead, Hearts had just one point from five league Games, having also been knocked out of the Europa League and the League Cup.

Naismith consulted his opposite number, Brendan Rodgers, pre-match, who classily gave him some advice.

The Celtic boss is the best manager in the country, but Naismith kep their chat private.

“No, I’m not going to tell you what he’s [Rodgers] saying,” Naismith told the BBC (via Football Scotland).

“The biggest thing I think I personally have been fortunate about is we’ve got some great managers in this league.

“We’ve got experienced managers who, as much as you’re rivals and you’re trying to get one over each other, they’ve all got time for you.

“That’s the biggest thing I’ve seen over the last year in a bit. Every manager I’ve come up against has given me their time, they are willing to answer any questions I’ve got and as a young manager, that’s so valuable.

“It was a nice moment [with Rodgers], but everybody in this league, manager-wise, has been fantastic with me.”

Naismith will be hoping his side’s fortunes alter when they face St. Mirren away from home this weekend.

For Celtic, though, their attention has turned to the European stage.

The Hoops welcome Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava to Glasgow’s east end on Wednesday evening as they aim to kick off their Champions League campaign in style.