Naismith loan was Connor’s best education
Hearts starlet Connor Smith has hailed Steven Naismith as the perfect role model.
Naismith spent 18 months on loan with the Jambos from Norwich City, and swiftly emerged as a key figure on and off the pitch.
He notched 14 goals in 28 outings last term before the 32- year- old’s campaign was prematurely ended due to a knee injury.
Naismith was released by the Canaries in the close season, and is expected to join Hearts on a permanent deal next month.
Smith insists the Scotland internationalist’s influence went far beyond merely finding the net.
“He is a fantastic role model to any young player,” said Smith.
“You just need to look at the amount of games he has played at the highest level – in the English Premier League and for Scotland – and he has scored so many goals through his career.
“More than that, he is always at training early, always doing little activation drills before games, and looking after his body.
“You can just tell that he has done everything in his career and experienced every sort of pre-season.
“He keeps himself so fit, and shows all the boys what you need to be a top player.
“We’ve got guys like Christophe Berra, Steven Maclean and – even though he is young – John Souttar, who you can learn from as well.”
Seventeen- year- old Smith burst on to the scene last season when he was handed a shock start in their Easter Road derby clash against Hibs in April, turning in a nerveless showing.
He followed that up with outings against Aberdeen and Celtic as he cemented his place as one of the brightest young prospects at Tynecastle.
Craig Levein rewarded Smith for his progress with a new contract until the summer of 2022.
Reflecting on his rapid rise, Smith said: “You get a little bit nervous before those big games. But, once it starts, I just forget about everything.
“My dad always tells me: ‘Forget about the fans, the pressure and play your own football’. That’s what I try to do.
“I want to be involved in more games this season. I’ll just keep trying my hardest, see where that takes me and hopefully the gaffer believes in me.”