Imminent Hearts signing Steven Naismith is rated very highly by former coach Alan Stubbs

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The former Hibs manager worked with the Scottish international during his time at Goodison Park.

Norwich City attacking midfielder Steven Naismith, 31, arrived in Edinburgh today to complete his loan move to Craig Levein’s Hearts.

The Scottish international was a target for former club Rangers, however, it appears Hearts have won the race with Naismith pretty much all but signed.

The 31-year-old has not kicked a ball in a competitive game since August, but is expected to sign before the weekend and could feature in Sunday’s highly anticipated Edinburgh derby.

Former Hibs boss Stubbs, who worked with Naismith during his time as an Everton coach, rates the former Goodison Park star very highly and spoke of his surprise that the Rangers legend did not attract more interest from English clubs.

According to the Scotsman, Stubbs said: “He has great attributes, he’s a great lad, very down to earth, humble.”

“He’s great in the air, as a defender he is a pest to play against even although he isn’t the biggest. He has great spring, he will rattle you, rile you, get on your nerves.

“He is a clever player, has a very good understanding of his role. He never stops working, sometimes he works too hard, runs around too much to be honest. It seems a bit strange to say, but that’s in his make-up.”

On his decision to join Hearts from Norwich, Stubbs went on to add, “I’m a bit surprised, not because it’s Hearts, but that I thought there would be clubs in the Championship who may have been on the table.

“There may be other things around it, maybe Steven wanted to get back to Scotland. That could be a big factor in it, but they have got themselves a very good player.”

Hearts striker Kyle Lafferty will be relishing the opportunity to link up with his former Rangers partner. The two had almost identically overlapping Rangers careers, winning three Scottish League titles in a row between 2009 and 2011.

With 45 caps to his name already, Naismith will also have his heart set on re-establishing his place in the national team with a new chance to shine on the pitch at Tynecastle.