NAISY GETS MESSAGE
HEARTS LEVEIN TO FACE SFA
BY ANTHONY HAGGERTY CRAIG LEVEIN has already opened discussions with Steven Naismith on his future at Hearts and would love the forward to sign a new deal.
Earlier this week the former Kilmarnock, Rangers, Everton and Norwich star joked he’d be raging if the Tynecastle club didn’t make him an offer when his contract expires in the summer.
Levein insists Naismith is held in the highest esteem in Gorgie and Hearts have made the player feel loved and wanted again.
The Tynecastle boss is well aware Naismith could make more money elsewhere come the end of the campaign.
But he reckons Naismith’s happiness could be a huge bargaining tool for Hearts when it comes to getting round the negotiating table.
Levein said: “We’ve been in constant dialogue with Steven.
“He is at the point of his career where he is going to have to make a big decision.
“He is really well respected by myself, Ann Budge, the staff and the players.
“Steven has had a period at Norwich where he maybe never felt loved or had that feeling he could help.
“He actually likes helping. It is in his nature. He is a lovely guy and is generous with his time here and desperate to help out the youngsters at the club.
“I’d love to keep him here. The financial side of things is not a massive stumbling block. There are various options that could net him more money than he would get here and he knows that.
“He could go to Saudi Arabia for two years and earn fortunes. If you are in a good position it helps and some players need to go and chase the money.
“I would have thought Steven would have been sensible with his earnings over the years. It might be down to lifestyle and enjoying himself. I think Steven knows how we feel about him.”
However, Levein drew the line at discussing Naismith embarking on a coaching role in the future.
He said: “I don’t want to discuss that in any great detail CRAIG LEVEIN has been charged by the SFA for his rant after Hearts’ loss to Rangers.
Levein blasted ref Bobby Madden and linesman Anthony Cooper – claiming his side had been up against 13 men – with an Alfredo Morelos offside goal standing.
He seemed to dare the SFA to charge him by pointing out Hibs’ Neil Lennon escaped after similar comments. as Steven still has so much to offer as a player. To talk about that would distract from what is important to him and us and that is to get him back playing.”
Naismith, 32, has not featured since injuring his knee in the opening minutes of the 3-0 Betfred Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic at Murrayfield in October and Levein has pencilled in a potential return for him against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on December 22.
The attacking midfielder made a blistering start to the campaign and even earned a Scotland recall with national manager Alex McLeish branding Naisy his No.1 striker before his injury. Now Levein is hopeful Naismith will give the Jambos another shot in the arm just like the return of Scotland defender Christophe Berra.
He said: “It’s no coincidence we’ve been better the last three matches because Christophe’s been back in the team.
“Two reasons. One, the solidity and extra determination he brings and two, the feeling his team-mates get when he’s sitting in the dressing room and the feeling the opposition gets when they look at the team sheet – ‘Christophe’s back’.
“So we’ll get that again when Naisy’s back and also when John Souttar and Uche Ikpeazu return to the team.
“We’ve got boosts ahead of us and we’ve also got David Vanecek coming in in January which is already done. He’ll be with us on January 5 so I can see light at the end of the tunnel.”
After defeating Motherwell to record their first Premiership win in seven matches the Jambos head to West Lothian to take on Gary Holt’s Livingston tomorrow night.
Levein laments the loss of key personnel but he’s happy they remain within three points of leaders Celtic and a point adrift of Rangers and Kilmarnock in second and third.
He said: “Our confidence took a big knock when we lost nearly half a team to injury. We played a certain way earlier in the season.
“Everyone knew what their responsibilities were and it worked really well for us. Since Christophe, John, Steven and Uche got injured we haven’t been able to hurt the opposition as much as I would have liked.
“It has been a crazy start to the season. In recent years Celtic started well and shot into the horizon, everybody chasing them – but they haven’t started so well this season.
“Rangers haven’t maintained that consistency everybody thought they would. Aberdeen started slowly and are now picking up again and Hibs have also started slowly.
“We started well and then had loads of injury problems. We’re hoping they’re behind us.
“Saturday was a tough match against Motherwell and the Livingston game will be exactly the same.”