US move could wreck Naismith dream of finals with Scotland
CRAIG LEVEIN believes Steven Naismith could be jeopardising a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Scotland at a major tournament if he opts for a career in the USA.
The Hearts manager yesterday confirmed that Naismith has discussed the prospect of a switch to Major League Soccer with him amid reports of interest from across the Atlantic.
But former Scotland boss Levein remains hopeful he can persuade the on-loan Norwich City star to extend his stay at Tynecastle beyond the summer — and says the player risks being out of sight and out of mind if he moves Stateside and Alex McLeish’s men qualify for Euro 2020.
Naismith, 32, is understood to be amenable to the idea of moving to America, with the significant selling point being the improved level of football there — allied with the standard of living for his young family.
However, he is also relishing his standing as arguably Hearts’ most important player and faces a quandary when his contract with the Canaries expires this summer.
Naismith has scored 13 goals for the Jambos this term, earning a recall for Scotland after an 18-month absence. He grasped that opportunity by hitting the net against Albania and Portugal.
After topping their Nations League section, Scotland will effectively get another crack at Euro 2020 qualification later this year should they fail to emerge from their group. And Levein is adamant that staying at Hearts will give Naismith the ideal platform to be a major part of McLeish’s plans.
‘Through his efforts at Hearts, he has got himself back into the Scotland squad and scored important goals at that level,’ said Levein.
‘All being well, we probably have the best opportunity as a national team to qualify for a major international tournament than we have for a very long time.
‘I’m sure Naisy would be part of that as it stands. I think all of these things are easier for him if he stays at Hearts.
‘There is a whole generation of players that have never played in a major tournament and Naisy could be part of Euro 2020, which has come due to his performances here.
‘He is so well respected here and the impact he has had at this club is quite important — and I think it is good for him to be important.
‘He has already spent a spell latterly at Norwich where he was out of the picture and I think he has thrived coming back into the spotlight.
‘I would be hopeful that he’s enjoying it enough at Hearts to stay here.
‘My view is that Naisy is such a competitive boy that I don’t think he’ll enjoy it if someone beside him doesn’t have the same mindset.
‘I’m not saying MLS isn’t competitive but I think Naisy’s character is perfect for Scottish football.’
Levein added with a smile: ‘I’ve actually sent an e-mail to Alex (McLeish) asking him: “If anyone goes to MLS, would you consider not picking them?”’
With regard to reports that Naismith was weighing up a move to MLS, Levein confirmed: ‘He told me that. We have very open and honest discussions.
‘I think he’ll want to be a coach, for sure, and I would suggest that when he’s a coach maybe he should go to the MLS and finish his playing career there.
‘I speak to Steven regularly. He’s not a guy who is prone to knee-jerk reactions and he will think long and hard about what his next move is.’
Meanwhile, Hearts youngster Marcus Godinho insists that he is determined to grasp his opportunity to become a firstteam mainstay at Tynecastle after Michael Smith became the latest player to fall foul of this season’s Gorgie injury jinx.
Right-back Smith, 30, who has been hailed as a constant source of inspiration by Godinho, will miss around four months with a torn thigh muscle.
As a result, the 21-year-old Canadian international will come into the side to face Motherwell at Fir Park tomorrow.
‘It was hard to see Michael go out because I am close with him,’ said Godinho. ‘But I am determined to make this my spot now. This is the chance I have been waiting for.’