Levein: Naismith can take boo boys
CRAIG LEVEIN insists Steven Naismith can handle the boo boys as the Hearts striker prepares to face Rangers for the first time since departing Ibrox under a cloud in 2012.
The 31-year-old is ensured a hostile reception in Govan after he joined Everton in the wake of the Gers’ financial collapse, choosing not to transfer his contract to Charles Green’s outfit.
That anger was ratcheted up when Naismith, a boyhood fan of the Glasgow giants, stated Rangers “no longer exists in its current form” in a press conference to explain his decision to depart, a comment for which he has since expressed regret.
However, Levein has shrugged off the prospect of his on-loan attacker emerging as public enemy number one and is adamant Naismith has endured – and prospered – in more challenging atmospheres than the one he will face tomorrow.
“I haven’t even thought about that [abuse]. Part of the reason I am saying it’s good we can go to Ibrox with players like Naismith and [Kyle] Lafferty is they handle everything,” said Levein.
“They have played in bigger arenas than this, and Steven is an experienced player.
“I don’t even know what the whole thing is about, to be honest. My only interest is if Steven is going to be fit or not, whether his hamstring can get through the game without further injury.
“If he is, I can pitch him in without worrying about anything, he is experienced enough to deal with whatever happens.
“These guys are not fazed by the game, not nervous and not worried about playing at the venue.”