Steven Naismith: January poser for Scotland and Norwich forward

[ian1964 10,761]

Scotland forward Steven Naismith has hinted he will consider his future at Norwich City when the transfer window re-opens next month.

 

Naismith, 31, has been training for three weeks after suffering an ankle ligament injury earlier this season.

 

Capped 45 times for his country, the former Kilmarnock, Rangers and Everton man has played three times this term."In the last few weeks, it's been tough to get back in," said Naismith of his struggle at Carrow Road.

 

"Being out for a period of time has made me realise the main thing is playing as many games as you can," he said."The new manager (Daniel Farke) came in during the summer and I had a really good pre-season, scoring goals and felt really fit. He made a few signings and had his idea of how he wanted to play and who he wanted to play.

 

"I have struggled from after I got my injury and that's something I will need to look at in January. I'll do as much as I can in the short term to do that, but I don't think at my age you can afford to have too many months not playing when you are fit and ready to play.

 

"I do want to come back and play in Scotland and the older I've got, the more interest I have in terms of coaching and tactics, and what you should be doing as a player in games.

 

"If I can do that for some of the young guys coming through in Scotland, then that's something I want to give back in that respect. But whether that's in the short term or long term, we need to wait and see."

 

Under former Scotland coach Gordon Strachan, Naismith was a regular in the national team but last played for his country in March.

 

"Towards the end of [the unsuccessful World Cup qualifying] campaign I found it tough," he added at a Loaves and Fishes charity event in Glasgow."I understand it was the right thing not to take me, but I found it slightly embarrassing. As a youngster you feel embarrassed when you are getting left out but when you are an older player I found it quite hard to take.

 

"I definitely want to get back playing so I can compete to be back in the Scotland squad. It's one of the proudest things I have done in my career, play for Scotland, and I want to continue doing that as long as I can."

 

Meanwhile, Naismith says there are "some great stadiums" Scotland could use should they move home games from Hampden.

 

The Scottish FA's lease for Queen's Park's ground expires in 2020 and Scottish Rugby's Murrayfield is one of the potential alternative venues under consideration.

 

"There have been a few games where I thought the atmosphere was incredible," said the Norwich forward."But, and my dad and my grandparents wouldn't thank me for saying it, if everything was right they should move and use the facilities we have got.

 

"You could create a good system where you are using Pittodrie, the two Edinburgh clubs, Celtic, Rangers, even Kilmarnock if it's back on grass, it holds a decent crowd and gives a great atmosphere.

 

"It does need to be full and it needs a great crowd to get it going. It's probably the spaces behind the goals [at Hampden], it doesn't have a great impact."

 

BBC

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Him.and morelos would be magnificent together

 

 

[StuGers 477]

From comments I’ve seen from Norwich fans, they’d be delighted to see the back of him.

[ian1964 10,761]

Former Rangers attacker Steven Naismith admits that the chance to return to Ibrox would be hard to turn down, saying that he could bring a lot to his old club were he to rejoin.

 

Naismith has been a bit part player with his current side Norwich City this season, making just three top-team appearances in a campaign that has largely been disrupted by injury.

 

Now back fighting fit though, Naismith says that physically, he feels better than ever, and that he would love to come back to play in Scotland with either of his former teams north of the border, having spent the formative part of his career with Kilmarnock.

 

The 31-year-old still has a year-and-a-half left on the lucrative deal he signed at Carrow Road after joining from Everton for £11million almost two years ago, but having made his millions in English football, he admitted that first-team football is his main priority when asked if a move back to Rangers would appeal.

 

“I think it would,” said Naismith. “I’ve spoken in the past about Kilmarnock and Rangers and being appreciative for what they did for me as a player. I would look at those clubs and see if they were options to start with.

 

“I wouldn’t say [i had] unfinished business [at Rangers], because we were successful and won a lot of trophies. “The way I left wasn’t great. I still watch all the games on TV, still speak to all the players and staff I know at the club. I love hearing how things are going. I still support Rangers and I want them to do well.

 

“Moving forward, coming back to Scotland there would be clubs I’d prefer to play with rather than just coming back and picking and choosing whoever. “Fortunately, when I come back to Scotland, it’s not going to be about finances. It’ll be about what I think is the right fit for me. That’ll be the main thing. “You need people at the clubs to want you and you just need to see what options are available.”

 

Naismith picked up the ankle injury that has hampered his campaign after Scotland teammate Grant Hanley fell awkwardly on his leg in training, but he insists that he is now fit and ready to make a contribution wherever he may end up.

 

“I’ve worked really hard to get back,” he said. “It has given me the time to do a lot in the gym and the exercises to strengthen. It’s been good. I’ve been training for the last three weeks and it’s all been good.

 

“But the manager has his ideas and players and he’s using them, so I’ve found it tough. “At my age you want to play and that’s something I will want to do. If things happen in January, then we’ll wait and see if it’s something of value.”

 

Naismith thinks that the wealth of experience he has gained since moving south to Everton to team up with David Moyes in 2012 will mean that he can bring much more to any future club than just what he can do on the field.

 

“The biggest things for me going to any club would be: will I play, will I bring something to the club and can I help the youngsters who are there?” he said.

 

“Also, a team that competes. In Scotland, outwith the teams that will challenge, the rest are mixed. One season Kilmarnock can be struggling for relegation now they’re where they are. “It’s more what I can bring to the club, if it’s the right fit and if I believe what they’re going forwards with. “I think I could go anywhere and make a difference.”

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15780281.Rangers_return_call_would_be_hard_to_ignore_for_Steven_Naismith/