Steven Naismith
Encyclopedia
Steven John Naismith is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League
club Rangers
and the Scotland national team
.
Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock
in 2004. He spent four years with the Ayrshire
side during that time he won the SFWA Young Player of the Year
in 2006 and the SPFA Young Player of the Year award the following season. Naismith joined Rangers in the summer of 2007 for a fee of £1.9m. While with the club he has won three consecutive league titles, the Scottish Cup
in 2008 and the League Cup
twice, in 2010 and 2011.
Naismith made his full international debut in 2007 against the Faroe Islands
and has 13 caps, scoring two goals, against Spain
and Lithuania
.
, Naismith attended Lainshaw Primary School and Stewarton Academy, whilst his footballing education took place with local boys club team Stewarton Annick. Naismith had also been on the books at Rangers as a youngster.
as a substitute against Hibernian
on 24 April 2004. This was in a season where he helped Kilmarnock under-19s win the Scottish Youth Cup
against Rangers 1–0 at Rugby Park
. He scored his first senior goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Heart of Midlothian
in February 2005.
In the 2005–06 season
he played in the striker position, and also on the left of midfield. His performances won him the SPL young player of the month award in August and January and the SPL player of the month award in March of the 2005-06 season. Naismith went on to win the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year award
, after scoring twelve goals during the season. He signed a new contract with Kilmarnock, until the summer of 2010, on 9 March 2006.
Naismith's performances led to a two-day trial with Arsenal
in August 2006. Naismith scored his first professional hat-trick, in a 3–0 Scottish League Cup
semi-final victory over Falkirk
. He won the SPL young player of the month award in March 2007. Naismith received the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award in the 2006–07 season.
Rangers
made a bid of around £400,000 for the striker in June 2007, with Kilmarnock officials incensed by what they considered to be a derisory offer. It was then widely reported that Naismith had handed in an official transfer request. BBC Sport
then reported that Kilmarnock were close to accepting a bid of around £2m from Rangers' Old Firm
rivals Celtic
. Shortly afterwards, Naismith withdrew his transfer request.
. He scored his first goal for Rangers in a 3–0 win over Aberdeen
on 23 September 2007. Naismith made his Champions League debut at the Nou Camp against FC Barcelona
in November 2007, coming on as a 78th minute substitute. He scored in consecutive games against Hibernian and Dundee United at the turn of the year during season 2007-08. A month later he then scored his fourth and fifth goals for Rangers against Falkirk and Gretna.
During Rangers' Scottish Cup
semi-final against St. Johnstone in April 2008, St. Johnstone player Martin Hardie
stepped on Naismith's left knee and appeared to injure him. However, after initially limping off the pitch he returned to the field of play, only to collapse a short time later and required to be stretchered off. After cruciate ligament damage, Naismith underwent surgery in May 2008 and was ruled out of action for possibly up to a year, however, he returned to training eight months later.
match against St. Mirren
and made a return to the first team football in January 2009 during the Scottish Cup, coincidentally St. Johnstone were the opponents. Naismith featured in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final
win over Falkirk
after missing the majority of the season through injury.
converted. The penalty proved to be the winning goal. Naismith then netted in the Scottish League Cup match against Queen of the South in September 2009.
In the 2010 League Cup Final
win over St. Mirren
Naismith set up Kenny Miller
for the winning goal through a counter attack after Rangers had been reduced to nine men.
Towards the end of the season Naismith scored two goals against Hearts at Tynecastle in March 2010. Naismith made 25 league appearances during season 2009–10 and duly received his first SPL winners medal after Rangers clinched back to back titles.
at Ibrox to gain them their 1st win in 12 UEFA Champions League
matches. Naismith followed this Champions League goal up with the winning goal deep into stoppage time against Hearts at Tynecastle in October. Further goals against Motherwell, Kilmarnock and St Mirren took Naismith's goal tally to eight for Rangers at the turn of the year in season 2010-11. Naismith's form also won him the SPL player of the month for October.
On 22 December 2010, Naismith signed a new four-and-a-half year contract to stay with the Rangers, keeping him tied to the club until at least May 2015.
After new year Naismith scored the winning goal in the Scottish League Cup semi final against Motherwell at Hampden Park Naismith was then sent off in the 2-2 draw with Celtic at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup after a second yellow card. Goals against Motherwell, Dundee United and St Johnstone took Naismith's tally to 11 for the season. Naismith then scored two goals in a 5-0 win over Motherwell in April 2011 In the final game of the 2010-11 season Naismith scored in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock which won the league title for the third consecutive time for Rangers.
Season 2010-11 proved to be Naismith's most prolific to date in a Rangers shirt, scoring 15 goals. Naismith was nominated for the SPFA Players' Player of the Year award after his performances throughout the 2010-11 season. Naismith won both the Rangers players player of the year and the supporters player of the year for season 2010-11.
in a 1-1 draw. In the following league match against St, Johnstone, Naismith scored again as Rangers won 2-0. The month of August saw Naismith score in consecutive games against Motherwell and Aberdeen.
In the first Old Firm
derby of the season on 18 September 2011, Naismith scored twice against Celtic
as Rangers won 4-2, this was the first time he had scored in a match against Celtic. Six days later against Dunfermline Athletic
, Naismith scored another brace to take his tally to eight goals in eight league games. However, the match was overshadowed when Naismith was handed a two match retrospective suspension by the SFA
for elbowing Dunfermline captain Austin McCann
. Naismith later stated there was no deliberate intent and had already had an apology accepted by McCann. Naismith scored Rangers first goal against Hearts in October 2011, Rangers went on to win the game 2-0.
During the 2011-12 season, Naismith began a goalscoring celebration where he crosses his arms in front of his body. This was later revealed by a family friend to mean that he is sending a kiss to his girlfriend when doing so. On 29 October, Naismith injured himself after attempting to tackle Aberdeen's
Rob Milsom
, however replays showed that his eyes were not focused on the ball; the reckless tackle sliced open Milsom's calf. A scan later confirmed that he had damaged his cruciate ligament
and would be out of action for around nine months, thus ending his season.
, in a 4–0 victory against Iceland U21s in March 2006. In the same month he scored on his debut for the Scotland B team
, against Turkey B in a 3–2 defeat.
Naismith was called up to the Scotland
squad for the first time in June 2007, and made his debut as a late substitute in the 2–0 win over the Faroe Islands
. Naismith captained the Scotland U21 team later that year, and scored a winning goal against the Czech Republic U21s
. Naismith received his second international cap when he started the world cup qualifier against Holland at Hampden Park in September 2009 which Scotland lost 1-0. Naismith's third international cap was against Wales in a 3-0 friendly defeat.
Naismith was selected for all three of Scotlands matches in the Nations Cup when Scotland reached the final but were defeated by the Republic of Ireland.
In the Euro 2012 championship qualifiers Naismith played in both matches home and away against Lithuania, both matches against the Czech Republic, the home match against Lichtenstein and the home match against Spain. Naismith scored his first goal for Scotland in the 3–2 loss to Spain
on 12 October 2010 in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Naismith scored the winning goal in the home match against Lithuania in September 2011 to keep Scotland's hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 alive.
. Naismith has been used on both right and left flanks for Rangers but also as a central midfielder with his versatility a key attribute. Former coach at Kilmarnock Billy Brown
likened Naismith's play with Alan Smith who started his career as a striker but ended up playing midfield for Manchester United
.
Naismith's play has also been attributed to his committed and fearless nature with an awareness and shrewdness which is required to play in a number of positions on the park. Scotland national team manager Craig Levein
has been known to utilise Naismith for his attacking instincts, workrate and sense of responsibility. Rangers manager Ally McCoist
believes that Naismith's natural zest and enthusiasm are some of his biggest strengths.
Personal awards
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and the Scotland national team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
in 2004. He spent four years with the Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
side during that time he won the SFWA Young Player of the Year
SFWA Young Player of the Year
The Scottish Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year award is given to the footballer in the top-flight of Scottish football, the Scottish Premier League, whom is seen to have been the best young player of the previous season.The shortlist is compiled by...
in 2006 and the SPFA Young Player of the Year award the following season. Naismith joined Rangers in the summer of 2007 for a fee of £1.9m. While with the club he has won three consecutive league titles, the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
in 2008 and the League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
twice, in 2010 and 2011.
Naismith made his full international debut in 2007 against the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team
The Faroe Islands national football team represents the Faroe Islands in association football and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association, the governing body for football in the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands became a member of FIFA in 1988 and UEFA in 1990 and are the third...
and has 13 caps, scoring two goals, against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
and Lithuania
Lithuania national football team
The national football team of Lithuania is under the auspices of the Lithuanian Football Federation. It played its first match in 1923. In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union; the country regained its independence in 1990 and played their first match as a new nation against Georgia on...
.
Early life
A resident of StewartonStewarton
Stewarton is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. In comparison to the neighbouring towns of Kilmaurs, Fenwick, Dunlop and Lugton, it is a relatively large town, with a population of over 6,500. It is 300 feet above sea level.Groome, Francis H. . Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland. Pub. Caxton. London....
, Naismith attended Lainshaw Primary School and Stewarton Academy, whilst his footballing education took place with local boys club team Stewarton Annick. Naismith had also been on the books at Rangers as a youngster.
Kilmarnock
Naismith played several years in the Kilmarnock youth team before signing professionally for Kilmarnock on 31 August 2002. He made his senior debut in the 2003–04 season2003-04 in Scottish football
The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA...
as a substitute against Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
on 24 April 2004. This was in a season where he helped Kilmarnock under-19s win the Scottish Youth Cup
Scottish Youth Cup
The Scottish Youth Cup is an annual Scottish football competition run by the Scottish Football Association for under-19 teams...
against Rangers 1–0 at Rugby Park
Rugby Park
Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. It was first used in 1899 and is the home of Kilmarnock F.C..It underwent a major redevelopment in 1994–95, becoming an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 18,128...
. He scored his first senior goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in February 2005.
In the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in Scottish football
The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill...
he played in the striker position, and also on the left of midfield. His performances won him the SPL young player of the month award in August and January and the SPL player of the month award in March of the 2005-06 season. Naismith went on to win the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year award
SFWA Young Player of the Year
The Scottish Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year award is given to the footballer in the top-flight of Scottish football, the Scottish Premier League, whom is seen to have been the best young player of the previous season.The shortlist is compiled by...
, after scoring twelve goals during the season. He signed a new contract with Kilmarnock, until the summer of 2010, on 9 March 2006.
Naismith's performances led to a two-day trial with Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in August 2006. Naismith scored his first professional hat-trick, in a 3–0 Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
semi-final victory over Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
. He won the SPL young player of the month award in March 2007. Naismith received the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award in the 2006–07 season.
Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
made a bid of around £400,000 for the striker in June 2007, with Kilmarnock officials incensed by what they considered to be a derisory offer. It was then widely reported that Naismith had handed in an official transfer request. BBC Sport
BBC Sport
BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. It incorporates programmes such as Match of the Day, Grandstand , Test Match Special, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special and coverage of Formula One motor racing, MotoGP and the Wimbledon Tennis...
then reported that Kilmarnock were close to accepting a bid of around £2m from Rangers' Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
rivals Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Shortly afterwards, Naismith withdrew his transfer request.
2007-08
On 31 August 2007, Kilmarnock had accepted Rangers' offer for Naismith, a bid in the region of £1.9m and he joined the club just 19 seconds before the transfer window closed. The following day Naismith made his debut as an 83rd minute substitute against GretnaGretna F.C.
Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland...
. He scored his first goal for Rangers in a 3–0 win over Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
on 23 September 2007. Naismith made his Champions League debut at the Nou Camp against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in November 2007, coming on as a 78th minute substitute. He scored in consecutive games against Hibernian and Dundee United at the turn of the year during season 2007-08. A month later he then scored his fourth and fifth goals for Rangers against Falkirk and Gretna.
During Rangers' Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi-final against St. Johnstone in April 2008, St. Johnstone player Martin Hardie
Martin Hardie
Martin Hardie is a Scottish association football midfielder who currently plays for Dunfermline Athletic.Upon joining his previous club, St. Johnstone, Hardie was suspended for the opening game of the 2006–07 season. He marked his debut for the club just three days later with a goal in a...
stepped on Naismith's left knee and appeared to injure him. However, after initially limping off the pitch he returned to the field of play, only to collapse a short time later and required to be stretchered off. After cruciate ligament damage, Naismith underwent surgery in May 2008 and was ruled out of action for possibly up to a year, however, he returned to training eight months later.
2008-09
Naismith returned to action in December 2008, playing in a reserveRangers F.C. Reserve and Youth squads
In addition to the first team, Rangers F.C. also have a reserve team and an under-19 side.On 20 April 2004, Rangers Football Club announced the creation of a new company which would oversee the development of the club's youth players. The company, called Rangers Youth Development Limited, is...
match against St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
and made a return to the first team football in January 2009 during the Scottish Cup, coincidentally St. Johnstone were the opponents. Naismith featured in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final
2009 Scottish Cup Final
The 2009 Scottish Cup Final was the final of the 124th season of the main domestic football cup competition in Scotland, the Scottish Cup. The final was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 30 May 2009...
win over Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
after missing the majority of the season through injury.
2009-10
Naismith opened his account for the 2009-10 season by scoring the fourth in a 4–1 win over Falkirk and followed this by winning a late and decisive penalty against Hearts at Tynecastle, which team mate Kris BoydKris Boyd
Kris Boyd is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Turkish side Eskişehirspor.Boyd grew up in the Ayrshire village of Tarbolton and started his senior career with Kilmarnock. He transferred to Rangers in January 2006, and was Rangers' top goalscorer in each of his...
converted. The penalty proved to be the winning goal. Naismith then netted in the Scottish League Cup match against Queen of the South in September 2009.
In the 2010 League Cup Final
2010 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...
win over St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
Naismith set up Kenny Miller
Kenny Miller
Kenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team...
for the winning goal through a counter attack after Rangers had been reduced to nine men.
Towards the end of the season Naismith scored two goals against Hearts at Tynecastle in March 2010. Naismith made 25 league appearances during season 2009–10 and duly received his first SPL winners medal after Rangers clinched back to back titles.
2010-11
In the first match of the 2010-11 season Naismith scored as Rangers beat Kilmarnock 2-1. Naismith then scored in consecutive games against Dundee United and Dunfermline in September 2010. On 29 September 2010, Naismith scored the only goal of the game as Rangers defeated BursasporBursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
at Ibrox to gain them their 1st win in 12 UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
matches. Naismith followed this Champions League goal up with the winning goal deep into stoppage time against Hearts at Tynecastle in October. Further goals against Motherwell, Kilmarnock and St Mirren took Naismith's goal tally to eight for Rangers at the turn of the year in season 2010-11. Naismith's form also won him the SPL player of the month for October.
On 22 December 2010, Naismith signed a new four-and-a-half year contract to stay with the Rangers, keeping him tied to the club until at least May 2015.
After new year Naismith scored the winning goal in the Scottish League Cup semi final against Motherwell at Hampden Park Naismith was then sent off in the 2-2 draw with Celtic at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup after a second yellow card. Goals against Motherwell, Dundee United and St Johnstone took Naismith's tally to 11 for the season. Naismith then scored two goals in a 5-0 win over Motherwell in April 2011 In the final game of the 2010-11 season Naismith scored in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock which won the league title for the third consecutive time for Rangers.
Season 2010-11 proved to be Naismith's most prolific to date in a Rangers shirt, scoring 15 goals. Naismith was nominated for the SPFA Players' Player of the Year award after his performances throughout the 2010-11 season. Naismith won both the Rangers players player of the year and the supporters player of the year for season 2010-11.
2011-12
Naismith scored again on the first day of the league season against Hearts at IbroxIbrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
in a 1-1 draw. In the following league match against St, Johnstone, Naismith scored again as Rangers won 2-0. The month of August saw Naismith score in consecutive games against Motherwell and Aberdeen.
In the first Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
derby of the season on 18 September 2011, Naismith scored twice against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
as Rangers won 4-2, this was the first time he had scored in a match against Celtic. Six days later against Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
, Naismith scored another brace to take his tally to eight goals in eight league games. However, the match was overshadowed when Naismith was handed a two match retrospective suspension by the SFA
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
for elbowing Dunfermline captain Austin McCann
Austin McCann
Henry Austin McCann is a Scottish footballer, currently playing for Dunfermline Athletic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.-Scotland:...
. Naismith later stated there was no deliberate intent and had already had an apology accepted by McCann. Naismith scored Rangers first goal against Hearts in October 2011, Rangers went on to win the game 2-0.
During the 2011-12 season, Naismith began a goalscoring celebration where he crosses his arms in front of his body. This was later revealed by a family friend to mean that he is sending a kiss to his girlfriend when doing so. On 29 October, Naismith injured himself after attempting to tackle Aberdeen's
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
Rob Milsom
Robert Milsom
Robert Steven Milsom is an English footballer, currently playing for Aberdeen. He can play in central midfield or on the left wing, although he started his career as a left back.-Fulham:...
, however replays showed that his eyes were not focused on the ball; the reckless tackle sliced open Milsom's calf. A scan later confirmed that he had damaged his cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
and would be out of action for around nine months, thus ending his season.
International career
Naismith scored on his debut for Scotland U21sScotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
, in a 4–0 victory against Iceland U21s in March 2006. In the same month he scored on his debut for the Scotland B team
Scotland B national football team
The Scotland B national football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is a secondary football team of Scotland, run occasionally as support for the Scotland national football team as a second string side to the first team....
, against Turkey B in a 3–2 defeat.
Naismith was called up to the Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
squad for the first time in June 2007, and made his debut as a late substitute in the 2–0 win over the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team
The Faroe Islands national football team represents the Faroe Islands in association football and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association, the governing body for football in the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands became a member of FIFA in 1988 and UEFA in 1990 and are the third...
. Naismith captained the Scotland U21 team later that year, and scored a winning goal against the Czech Republic U21s
Czech Republic national under-21 football team
The Czech Republic national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of the Czech Republic and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic...
. Naismith received his second international cap when he started the world cup qualifier against Holland at Hampden Park in September 2009 which Scotland lost 1-0. Naismith's third international cap was against Wales in a 3-0 friendly defeat.
Naismith was selected for all three of Scotlands matches in the Nations Cup when Scotland reached the final but were defeated by the Republic of Ireland.
In the Euro 2012 championship qualifiers Naismith played in both matches home and away against Lithuania, both matches against the Czech Republic, the home match against Lichtenstein and the home match against Spain. Naismith scored his first goal for Scotland in the 3–2 loss to Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on 12 October 2010 in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Naismith scored the winning goal in the home match against Lithuania in September 2011 to keep Scotland's hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 alive.
International goals
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 12 October 2010 | Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland... , Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
1–2 | 2–3 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 2012 UEFA European Football Championship The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2012, will be the 14th European Championship for national football teams sanctioned by UEFA. The final tournament will be hosted by Poland and Ukraine between 8 June and 1 July 2012... |
|
| 2. | 6 September 2011 | Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland... , Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
1–0 | 1-0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 2012 UEFA European Football Championship The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2012, will be the 14th European Championship for national football teams sanctioned by UEFA. The final tournament will be hosted by Poland and Ukraine between 8 June and 1 July 2012... |
|
Style of play
Although Naismith traditionally started his career as a striker, he has recently been effectively used as a midfielderMidfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. Naismith has been used on both right and left flanks for Rangers but also as a central midfielder with his versatility a key attribute. Former coach at Kilmarnock Billy Brown
Billy Brown (footballer born 1950)
Billy Brown is a Scottish football former player and coach. He is currently the caretaker manager of Hibernian. Brown played in the Scottish Football League for Motherwell and Raith Rovers...
likened Naismith's play with Alan Smith who started his career as a striker but ended up playing midfield for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
Naismith's play has also been attributed to his committed and fearless nature with an awareness and shrewdness which is required to play in a number of positions on the park. Scotland national team manager Craig Levein
Craig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
has been known to utilise Naismith for his attacking instincts, workrate and sense of responsibility. Rangers manager Ally McCoist
Ally McCoist
Alistair Murdoch "Ally" McCoist, MBE ; 24 September 1962) is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is the current manager of Rangers in Scotland....
believes that Naismith's natural zest and enthusiasm are some of his biggest strengths.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Scottish Cup Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The... |
League Cup Scottish League Cup The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Kilmarnock Kilmarnock F.C. Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park... |
2003–04 2003-04 in Scottish football The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004–05 2004-05 in Scottish football The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman... |
24 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 | |
| 2005–06 2005-06 in Scottish football The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill... |
36 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 13 | |
| 2006–07 2006-07 in Scottish football The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and... |
37 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 19 | |
| 2007–08 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | |
| Total | 102 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 35 | |
| Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
2007–08 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... |
21 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 5 |
| 2008–09 2008-09 in Scottish football The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the... |
7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 39 | 4 | |
| 2010–11 | 31 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 44 | 15 | |
| 2011–12 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 9 | |
| Total | 98 | 28 | 15 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 18 | 1 | 140 | 33 | |
| Career total | 200 | 57 | 20 | 1 | 18 | 9 | 18 | 1 | 256 | 68 | |
Honours
RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
(3): 2009Scottish Premier League 2008-09The 2008–09 Scottish Premier League season was the eleventh season of the Scottish Premier League and the second season under the sponsorship of the Clydesdale Bank...
, 2010, 20112010–11 Scottish Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Scottish Premier League was the thirteenth season of the Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish football. It commenced on 14 August 2010 and ended on 15 May 2011...
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- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
(1): 20092009 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2009 Scottish Cup Final was the final of the 124th season of the main domestic football cup competition in Scotland, the Scottish Cup. The final was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 30 May 2009...
- Scottish Cup
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- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(2): 20102010 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...
, 20112011 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2011 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Scottish League Cup, the 64th season of the Scottish League Cup. It was played by Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers. Rangers won the trophy after extra time 2–1.-Celtic:...
- Scottish League Cup
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Personal awards
- SFWA Young Player of the YearSFWA Young Player of the YearThe Scottish Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year award is given to the footballer in the top-flight of Scottish football, the Scottish Premier League, whom is seen to have been the best young player of the previous season.The shortlist is compiled by...
(1): 2006
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- SPFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2007
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- Scottish Premier League Player of the Month (2): March 2006, October 2010
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- Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Month (3): August 2005, January 2006, March 2007
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