Naismith pragmatic about future despite current Everton role

, 24 March, 49comments  |  Jump to most recent

Steven Naismith says that he wouldn't rule out an eventual return to Rangers as he reunites with the Scotland squad ahead of their friendly with Northern Ireland and Sunday's Euro2106 qualifier against Gibraltar.

The 28-year-old forward has overcome a rocky start to life at Goodison Park to become a first-team regular under Roberto Martinez as well as an integral part of his country's bid to qualify for next summer's European Championships.

He is the Blues' third-highest scorer this season with eight goals in all competitions but, when asked if he could foresee returning to Rangers, the team he left under controversial circumstances 2½ years ago, Naismith admits anything could happen. "I don't know what will happen in the coming year never mind the future," the ex-Kilmarnock man said.

"At the moment I love playing for Everton. Since I've been there it's been a great adventure, from being a substitute and not having an impact to playing in most of the big games and having an impact.

"I love it at the moment but you never know things can change so quickly in football. I'd never rule anything out to be honest."

Naismith is hoping that the extra edge that a match against another home nation provides can act as the perfect preparation for the Gibraltar game.

"The [Northern] Ireland game is a great game because it will be more than just a friendly," he continued, "with it being against a country so close to home and with a lot of the players knowing each other and playing against each other."

Quotes sourced from Daily Mail



Reader Comments (49)

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Colin Glassar
1 Posted 24/03/2015 at 20:09:40
My player of the season.
Ian Glassey
2 Posted 24/03/2015 at 20:14:38
Mine too, Colin, by a mile.
Stephen Brown
3 Posted 24/03/2015 at 20:17:06
The player of the year award! Jesus that is a short short list!!
Patrick Murphy
4 Posted 24/03/2015 at 20:26:28
Ordinarily I would also have had Naismith as Everton's player of the season but I'm going for Leon Osman because without his input albeit briefly we may well have had a few less points than we have at the moment.
Paul Ellam
5 Posted 24/03/2015 at 20:31:23
I would have said Naismith until about a month ago but the goal spree by Lukaku means that I may be leaning towards him now.

Young player for either Garbutt or Stones.

Ged Simpson
6 Posted 24/03/2015 at 20:58:55
For me it is McCarthy. Both him an Naismith work hard for the cause. Lukaku arsed around for a bit but is now good.
Phil Sammon
7 Posted 24/03/2015 at 20:59:44
If the same comments had come from Mirallas he would be getting slaughtered.
Dave Abrahams
8 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:03:23
Really and truly player of the year should surely be abandoned this year; anyone picked would have to be embarrassed receiving the award.
Mike Hughes
9 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:01:49
Phil -

Probably true - so it just goes to show the importance that supporters place on work ethic and not being a Big Time Charlie.

Effort should be a given anyway. If the effort goes in, the rope is longer even if you've played poorly.
If you come across as the 'Dog's Bollocks', you'd better prove it consistently.

In a field of very few runners, Naismith gets my vote for this season. At least he looked like he could be bothered which is the minimum standard in my eyes.

Ross Edwards
10 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:09:15
Lukaku for me. And probably for Martinez too because if it wasn't for his goals he would have been out months ago.
Colin Glassar
11 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:12:52
Nessie, despite his lack of technical finesse, has given his all in every game. Something that none of the others can say. Macca a close second, followed by Stonesy and Jags.
Eric Holland
12 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:14:50
Lukaku just because his goals have been critical in such a shit season.

And as a protest vote, I would vote for Robles.

Mark Frere
13 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:16:14
Besic for me; when he's played, he's always given 100% and has never let us down. The rest of our players who we were expecting so much more from have all been below par.
Andy Crooks
14 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:27:20
How did this become a player of the year thread? Anyway, none of them.
Chris Gould
15 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:48:21
Worst player of the season would be a more interesting subject. Plenty of outstanding candidates for that. Some well worthy ones too.
Kevin Tully
16 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:47:46
None of the above - all below average over the whole season. Howard gets worst player of the season, hands down. In fact, that would be a more interesting debate - worst player of the season?
Darryl Ritchie
17 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:38:28
He was asked a hypothetical question about the future; which he answered hypothetically. Players get in "trouble" trying to answer leading questions honestly.

After this nightmare of a season, none of the players should be too confident of their status over the summer.

Naisy doesn't have the most skill, but what he's got, we get it all, every game. Player of the Season for me.

Tom Bowers
18 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:51:18
Hard to pick a player of the year given the inconsistency throughout the team but Nessie despite his shortfalls has given more than 100% blood and guts in most of his appearances and I for one applaud him for that.

But Stones has been excellent and is becoming a real class act along with Macca.

Gerry Quinn
19 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:59:12
Hibbo, Player of the Year for me in this team!
Doug Harris
20 Posted 24/03/2015 at 21:57:50
It's a team game as we all know. The team has been abysmal to say the least.

We could all go on a witch-hunt for the worst player and I reckon we would most probably pick the same player.

However for pure guts and endeavour Steven Naismith gets my vote. In whatever standard of football a person plays in his response has been admirable.

Andy Crooks
21 Posted 24/03/2015 at 22:06:52
Worst player of the year? Now that is difficult. Tim Howard seems a stand out but it's too close to call. None them are actually much good.
Sam Hoare
22 Posted 24/03/2015 at 22:38:55
The ongoing Naismith debate. An A for effort and C+ for ability in my grade book. Truth is that despite all his apparent effort (and actually there are many players who have covered more ground) he is pretty low on assists and key passes, loses possession a lot and offers very little protection to his full back when played on the flank.

Work ethic is commendable but if that were enough then I'd be playing for Everton.

Clive Rogers
23 Posted 24/03/2015 at 23:17:07
Martinez has left him out three times recently.
David Cromwell
24 Posted 24/03/2015 at 23:33:17
"Come Get Me" in fitba speak. When our limited – albeit industrious – Scottish international wants out, you know it's bad.
Clive Rogers
25 Posted 24/03/2015 at 23:43:01
Sam #22,

Correct he's a plodder who hardly gets a tackle in or achieves anything with the ball. He failed for us as a striker, so has been slotted into a midfield role to which he is not suited.

Abhishek Saha
26 Posted 25/03/2015 at 02:32:14
If you take the sum of commitment, performance, selflessness and attitude, he is by far the numero uno for us.

Live For Everton.

Mark Andersson
27 Posted 25/03/2015 at 02:38:26
Some funny posts today, thanks for cheering me up.

Lennon and McCarthy get my vote for reminding me to listen to good music by the fab four. Nothing fab about our band of mercenaries.

Matt Traynor
28 Posted 25/03/2015 at 03:14:13
If he sees himself back at Rangers then how would they pay a transfer fee for him? We've had the rough end of transfer deals with them over the years, I would want to screw them out of as much as possible.

From Steven and Stevens after the UEFA ban (not technically Rangers fault), to ripping us off over Michael Ball (not paying the last instalment of the fee), to us giving them Stuart McCall at a knock-down price (Kendall). Whilst we eventually got Ferguson for a big fee at that time, there's also Mo Johnstone, Alec Cleland and John Spencer. Paul Rideout eventually won us over!

Naisy signed a new contract in the summer, so £8m minimum! We'll probably get it in tax credits.

Mike Price
29 Posted 25/03/2015 at 04:51:42
Naismith voted best player by some, shows how shockingly bad this season has been.

Howard would win worst player in the entire league by a country mile.

Andy Meighan
30 Posted 25/03/2015 at 04:57:10
Some of the names being bandied about on here for Player of the Season – McCarthy, Besic, Stones etc... unbelievable. What games do some of these people watch? Fact is there hasn’t been one who’s even been average let alone outstanding. Although to be fair no-one used that term... so let’s put the Player of the Shit Season to bed because there isn’t likely to be one.
Brian Porter
31 Posted 25/03/2015 at 06:16:11
Definitely my player of the season. He has NOT said he wants to back to Rangers now, merely that he might see it happening EVENTUALLY, ie, at some in the future. Does anyone think he's mad enough to go there while they are not even in the SPL and are not certain to get there this year with Hearts looking certain of an instant return to the top flight?

Having lived in Scotland for some years, I can tell you there is a vast gap between their Premier League and the rest and no way would he want to end up plying his trade in front of meagre crowds at some of the smaller clubs up there. He has said how much he enjoys playing for Everton and for me, he shows it every time he pulls on the blue shirt. Let's take his words in context and not read too much into a spot of hypothetical forward thinking and wistful daydreaming.

Stephen Brown
32 Posted 25/03/2015 at 07:19:24
In fairness, Pienaar has been consistent and not made many mistakes!
Jake Lucas
33 Posted 25/03/2015 at 08:58:08
This is just a player saying that before the time comes for him to hang his boots up, he'd like to return to his boyhood club one last time, nothing wrong with that and doesn't suggest he's not committed to Everton.

As for player of the season, I think he's there or thereabouts, a lot of key players have had a stop/start season due to injuries but Steven has been the week-in, week-out performer, maybe not always with quality but undoubtedly with effort, commitment and passion. When he joined the club I didn't think he'd give much to the team other than the occasional sub appearance; I'm happy for someone to prove me wrong like he has.

Brian Hennessy
34 Posted 25/03/2015 at 09:19:33
Sorry for posting this here, totally off topic, but with the news about Petr Cech wanting to move (fee of £10 million being mentioned), what a difference he could make for us.

I know we probably can't afford him but I wonder how much we could get for Howard from the US clubs?

Brin Williams
35 Posted 25/03/2015 at 09:35:19
Knowing us, Howard would probably go on a free and so would Naismith. In fact, half the team could go on a free after their performances this season.

Money saved should go to increase Roberto's salary for the incredible effort he has put in to keep us up in what can only be described as a phenomenal Season.

Reg Green
36 Posted 25/03/2015 at 09:36:05
Looks like Jack Butland could become first choice at Stoke making Asmir Begovic available?
Dan Hollingworth
37 Posted 25/03/2015 at 09:44:02
Would he like a lift? I will drive him there myself.

Never has someone done so little in an Everton shirt to be considered so great. The love he gets for simply running fascinates me. 8 goals as well? Hardly potent. I appreciate in October he was the only one who looked bothered but in reality he is not good enough and the Scottish Premier League is about his level. His first touch is poor, he regularly picks bad passes, and apart from chipping in with the odd goal, what does he actually do? Player of the season? Jesus!

We have one of the biggest talents in English football who has seen his development stifled this season to accommodate Naismith. Granted that is not his fault, it's the managers fault that. But Naismith is a squad player at best.

There's certainly a link between him not starting the last 2 league games and us getting 6 points. (Although I think Gaz Baz might be involved with that as well.) There seems to be a sorry trend at Everton where, if you run around a bit, you are considered world class; SN is far from it.

Clive Rogers
38 Posted 25/03/2015 at 10:23:09
Sam #22,

Correct – he's a plodder who hardly gets a tackle in or achieves anything with the ball. He failed for us as a striker, so has been slotted into a midfield role to which he is not suited.

James Marshall
39 Posted 25/03/2015 at 11:41:12
He's a shit footballer. Just because he runs about a lot doesn't mean shit.

Lovely fella too by all accounts, but he's just not very good at football. He can finish quite well occasionally but his all round game is awful.

There is no player of the year, so I'd give it to Hibbo just for being Hibbo.

Denis Richardson
40 Posted 25/03/2015 at 11:48:52
The player of the season award should be retired for one year.

Not a single player comes close to deserving this award. Regardless of whether it's the managers tactics at fault or not.

Complete waste of a season.

Liam Reilly
41 Posted 25/03/2015 at 11:55:24
Naismith seems like a nice chap and puts in some serious effort; but only at Everton could he be talked about in terms of Player ot the Season.

He wouldn't make the team for any of our rivals and Barkley has been pushed wide or benched to accomodate. Useful Squad player for me.

Rob Newling
42 Posted 25/03/2015 at 12:20:34
So, nobody's picked "The Old Lady" yet? Never on the pitch, but arguably the biggest influence so far this season! ;-)

I like it Eric (#12), I personally felt Robles deserved a longer stint between the sticks. How'd you reckon he'd go now, if he got the chance?

Back on topic: "nothing to see here" – lazy journalism, stock answer – wouldn't read too much into it!

Harold Matthews
43 Posted 25/03/2015 at 14:00:08
Definitely not Nessie who has been very poor recently, especially against Kiev where he he lost focus and ball-watched as his man ran through to score. Started the bust up at Stoke which put us all out of position and led to their 1st goal. Works hard and does have movement but not my player of the year. Nark of the year for sure.

Robles, Besic and Lennon have been my pleasant surprises of the year but no-one deserves the main award.

The booby prize is a toss-up between Martinez, Howard and Mirallas.

Andrew Ellams
44 Posted 25/03/2015 at 14:51:05
His presence in the team has definitely hindered Barkley's progress. Reminds a bit of when Jelavic's form fell away after Moyes started to use Fellaini as the man in the hole to replace Cahill.
Minik Hansen
45 Posted 25/03/2015 at 14:51:44
Harold Matthews, and maybe Luke Garbutt is in line-up for surprises as well? ;)
Ben Dyke
46 Posted 25/03/2015 at 15:39:07
Naismith knows Rangers couldn't afford his wages until they are back in the top flight and when he's towards the end.

His attitude stands out because a lot of the other players haven't grafted this season and to me that's the minimum. If you aren't playing well, your touch is off etc, then the least you can do is play a physical game and try and make some good tackles (please listen Ross, Mirallas, etc).

Des Farren
48 Posted 25/03/2015 at 18:59:32
Sam @22. Completely agree. Work ethic is good but is usually found wanting when a little finesse is called for. A very limited player, I feel.
Harold Matthews
49 Posted 26/03/2015 at 00:28:19
Minic. Yes, I thought about young Garbutt, a lad I've followed for some time now but his defensive work disappointed me. That said, with Mirallis not tracking back, his job was always going to be difficult.

Luke is quick to get forward and his dynamic left foot is a deadly weapon but he needs more competitive experience and may be forced to look elsewhere.

Max Wilson
50 Posted 26/03/2015 at 09:20:38
Hoots mon, away wi ye ! We're pragmatic too.

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