Naismith can give Scots firepower

STEVEN Naismith insists he can provide Scotland with the firepower to shoot down Albania if Leigh Griffiths does not pull through.

The Celtic striker was replaced at half-time during Friday night’s 4-0 friendly defeat to Belgium after appearing to limp through the final stages of the opening period.

Griffiths has struggled with an on-going calf complaint this term and boss Alex McLeish admitted he could take no chances with his main goal threat ahead of tomorrow’s Nations League opener.

The 28-year-old will undergo tests this morning to assess whether he can take on Christian Panucci’s Albanians – but Naismith has declared himself ready to step up if Griffiths is forced to pull out.

The Hearts forward was a late call-up to the squad but says after hitting a hat-trick for Steven Naismith Craig Levein’s men against St Mirren last weekend, his confidence levels are soaring.

The 31-year-old – who replaced Griffiths at the interval as McLeish’s side were ripped apart by the number two ranked side in the world – said: “I’ve believed since coming back up the road and starting the season well that I can contribute to the national team.

“I’ve now managed to get back in the squad and so I’ve just got to work hard when I’m on the training pitch and in the games to show the manager that I do deserve a place.

“I thought I did well last night. We were playing against one of the best teams in the world so you have to be strategic and pick your moments on when to press these guys because, as we showed, when you do it wrong you get punished and that’s what happened last night.

“But as for myself, I was delighted to get half a game and I’ll work as hard as I can to help the young boys in the squad but also to help us start the campaign well.

“Am I up for the job of filling in for Leigh if he doesn’t make Monday? Oh definitely, you can’t pick and choose where you play in the national team. But I do feel comfortable up there...I’ll play where the manager wants me to.”