Matt finish is down to Naysmith’s taste of English top flight
Matty Aitken believes his place in football history was secured by getting a tiny taste of the English Premier League.
The striker has just helped Stenhousemuir win the first title in the club’s 140-year history.
His goals have also seen him nominated for PFA Scotland’s League Two Player of the Year.
He gives a lot of the credit for a successful season to Warriors boss Gary Naysmith.
The former Scotland full-back spent seven years with Everton in England’s top flight and Aitken feels that experience has helped him become a top coach – and that’s benefited Aitken.
“The gaffer has been brilliant with all the boys. He made me feel comfortable straight away and made me feel wanted,” said the 26-year-old.
“He’s picked up loads of tips, tricks, ways of acting and being around the players from being at the very top.
“Boys in the lower leagues, we dream of being a Premier League footballer in England.
“It’s clear he’s picked up lots from the unbelievable managers he’s worked under. He’s brought that into his own management style and turned that into a style I’ve liked and thrived off.
“This has been my best season and he’s definitely played a massive part in bringing that out of me. The gaffer is so humble with it. If you didn’t actually know who he was, you wouldn’t find it out from him saying he did this or that or that he knew him.
“If you ask him about it, he’ll speak about it. He has come out with some good stories and I’m sure he’s got more.
“But he’s not like that as a guy. He’s very humble.”
Aitken was with St Johnstone as a teenager but was released and went on to play for Forfar, Elgin City and Albion Rovers.
Winning a title with Stenhousemuir is reward for his persistence in carving out a career.
He said: “It’s a great feeling to make history.
“You can have a really good career in Scottish football and not win anything.
“So, to look back on it and have won a league medal is something to be massively proud of and hopefully be remembered for.”
He will also be remembered for his goals. Aitken added: “Scoring goals is one of those things where confidence is huge.
“I probably beat myself up a lot less than I used to do. If something doesn’t go right for you, just move on and make sure the next one goes in.
“I missed even a half-chance when I was younger, I’d be beating myself up for the next five or more minutes.
“I’m now a lot better at switching the mindset onto the next chance.”