Hearts are still looking for a new first-team leader.

Michael Stewart has encouraged Hearts to make a quick management change in order to break their bad run of form.

Interim manager Liam Fox led the squad to a 1-1 tie with Ross County in the Premiership on Saturday, breaking a run of eight successive losses. They left it late, but Lawrence Shankland scored in stoppage time to salvage a point ahead of Thursday’s Europa Conference League opener against Dinamo Minsk.

They are presently without a permanent manager following Steven Naismith’s dismissal as head coach. Former Hearts player Stewart reflected on the draw with County, noting that, while it ended a losing streak, it did so by a narrow margin.

He has asked Hearts chiefs to choose a new leader as soon as possible, with the incoming manager being reminded that changes to the team would be required in January, as well as the necessity to move the club ahead in two early tasks. Stewart asked Premier Sports, “Has the rot stopped?” They have finally ended their losing streak with a point. They need to get someone in really fast.

“There is a European game on Thursday night that is really important for the team. When you look at Hearts’ schedule, there are games that this group can win if they are settled and believe in themselves. But they’re a million miles away from that right now.

“You just fear that if things go on for too long, it will be more difficult to reverse them. Stopped the rot? Barely. There is a severe need for a manager, and the team needs to be significantly adjusted in January.

“On the football front, they really need a focal point and a club leader, a manager, to step in and drive things ahead. With a little tweaking, they’re not far from being fine.”

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