BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
STEVEN NAISMITH reckons his switch to Hearts can be a springboard to the Scotland Hall of Fame.
The 31-year-old boasts 45 caps for his country but has not been called up since being named in the squad to face Malta last September, with a mix of injuries and a dearth of regular football with Norwich taking their toll.
Talks have begun between the Scottish FA and Michael O’Neill as they search for Gordon Strachan’s successor, and Naismith is acutely aware that he must be playing every week if he is to extend an international career which has heralded seven goals.
The former Rangers and Everton forward also admits the draw of being just five appearances shy of a place in the history books is strong.
“When I started out, I never thought I’d get anywhere near 50,” said Naismith. “But over the years, you get closer, then you get into the 40s and you think ‘I’ve got a chance of this if I keep doing well.’ I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about that.
“Hopefully this move can be positive for my Scotland career. I want to get back playing, first of all, and then it’s about trying to catch the eye of the new manager, whoever that may be.
“It’s important to be playing when the new man comes in. You’re doing yourself a disservice if you say ‘nah, I’ll sit it out – something better will come, I’m not fussed for moving’. You’re on the back foot straight away if you do that. I’ve always been somebody that wants the chance to show what I’m about.
“I didn’t only come back to Hearts for that purpose. Getting back playing was the biggest factor in me deciding that I need to move in January, but I do want to give myself the best possible chance to get back involved with Scotland.”
Naismith will be afforded a baptism of fire in maroon when he makes his debut against Hibs in Sunday’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie.
Craig Levein has already made it clear that he will pitch the Scotland internationalist straight into the starting line-up for the derby showdown, stating yesterday: “You don’t bring in a player like Steven then not play him – he’ll play.”
That is music to the ears of Naismith, who admits that fraught, frenetic local rivalries have a special place in his heart after experiencing the best of what Glasgow, Merseyside and East Anglia have to offer.
To this day, his goals against Celtic – a brace in a 4-2 win at Ibrox in September 2011 – and his strike in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in 2012 give him goosebumps. More of the same at Tynecastle would ensure immediate fans’ favourite status is Gorgie.
“Every team I’ve played with have had a proper derby,” he smiled. “I’ve managed to play in them all for every club, so it’ll be great to play in this one. I really enjoy the intensity and desire in these games.
“Growing up as a Rangers fan, it was obviously special to score in an Old Firm game and my first goal for Everton was in the Merseyside derby. That probably gained me a bit of time to turn it round with the fans, because I hadn’t had the best of starts up until then.
“I know exactly what a derby goal would mean for the Hearts supporters, especially if we win.
Naismith’s capture is a coup for the Jambos, given his reported £60,000 a week salary at Norwich as glittering pedigree, including stints at Rangers and Everton. However, the gifted forward insists financial factors were the last thing on his mind when he considered his options.
Following a trying couple of years in his career – from relegation to the Championship, to falling out of favour under new Canaries manager Daniel Farke – he simply wants to enjoy his football and family life in Scotland again.
Options
“As you get older there is more to think about with making moves,” explained Naismith. “There’s family life and my daughter starting school. Things like that mean it is not quite as straightforward compared to when you’re a young guy.
“I had to think about all the options and pick which one I thought was best for me. Money doesn’t matter so much now. I’ve been fortunate enough that I’ve done well and got some good moves so it is now more about enjoying it.”
He added honestly: “You start to think that one day you will wake up and not be able to play football any more – so it’s about getting back playing and enjoying it.”
Naismith, who remains contracted at Carrow Road until 2019, concedes his future beyond the end of this season is shrouded in uncertainty. An extended stay at Hearts is unlikely.
“I’ve said many times that I see myself back in Scotland to finish my career,” he added. “Whether that begins now – as I have another year at Norwich – I don’t know. There will be a lot of conversations during the summer but I’m happy with things at the moment.”
