Must  Read: The story behind Steven Naismith and Ange Postecoglou’s Hearts-Spurs relationship.

The relationship between Hearts and Tottenham Hotspur dates back to Dave Mackay’s tenure in the 1950s and 1960s.

Mackay, one of Hearts’ finest players, was sold to the North London club in 1959 for £32,000. The Scotland international went on to represent Tottenham with distinction for nine seasons, and the two clubs have maintained a close relationship ever since. They most recently met in the Europa League in 2011, and will face off again at Tynecastle on Wednesday night as part of the Jambos’ sesquicentennial celebrations.

The current managers of Hearts and Tottenham also have a tight friendship. Steven Naismith and Ange Postecoglou only met once in Scottish football, at the end of the 2022/23 season, but they’ve remained in touch since. Since becoming permanent Hearts head coach, the Australian manager has given Naismith advise and been supportive of the rookie coach’s work.

“The way he plays was different and it gets you intrigued,” Naismith said of Postecoglou, who won five titles in two years at Celtic and led Spurs to fifth place in the Premiership last season. “You can definitely learn from that.

“I first met Ange while working as a caretaker for Hearts. We played Celtic on the day they could win the league, and he didn’t have to give me any attention, but he did. He made a point of it before the game and was really complimentary.

“He’d never met me. He undoubtedly asked a few folks at Celtic who had previously worked with me in Scotland. After the game, he was really complimentary. He simply stated that if he can be of any assistance, he will contact you.

“Then he texted me out of the blue.” He didn’t need to give me that time of day; he had no idea if I’d become the manager here or not. For a young coach, having someone with his expertise to draw on is invaluable. Fortunately, I’ve done it since then.”

Naismith admires Postecoglou’s love for football in general, as well as his support for the Scottish game. “He’s got the players’ and managers’ backs,” Naismith added. “I believe he has a solid understanding of the game. He has extensive knowledge and experience.

“For me, the most memorable aspect is his calm demeanor. He was tormented by everyone at Celtic at first, but he maintained a calm demeanor that helped him succeed in Scotland – as well as at tougher circumstances with Spurs.

“I believe he appreciated the stuff available in Scotland. Not everyone appreciates what it is, yet it is full with talent.”

Naismith expects some of Tottenham’s key talents to travel north, including English playmaker James Maddison and new recruit Archie Gray.

“I think there will be quite a few of their bigger names, just by going off the internationals and what were teams were at major competitions,” according to him. “Quality will be high. Defensively, we will need to be on point; this is a major focus for us. Ange’s squads are always out of energy, so we’ll have to deal with it.”