Ex-Rangers forward Steven Naismith left Ibrox in 2012.
Hearts forward Steven Naismith has told The Scotsman that he feels his decision to leave Rangers in 2012 was ‘definitely’ the right choice.
Rangers are back in action at Ibrox this afternoon as they host Hearts, and they will be looking for a big response after last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic.
The Gers were embarrassed at Hampden Park last weekend, and will be hoping that former Rangers forward Steven Naismith doesn’t pile on the misery this afternoon.
Naismith, 31, joined Hearts from Norwich in January and has hit three goals in 10 league games, with the attacker now returning to Ibrox once again, almost six years on from his departure.
The Scotland international joined Rangers from Kilmarnock in 2007, and went on to win three league titles with the club before deciding to leave when the club hit liquidation in 2012.
Naismith chose not to transfer his contract to the ‘new’ Rangers, and instead joined Everton on a free transfer, invoking the ire of Gers fans who slammed his lack of loyalty.
When Naismith returned to Ibrox earlier this year, he was heckled by Rangers fans who haven’t forgotten his decision, and he may well face similar treatment today.
Ahead of the game, Naismith has told The Scotsman that he feels it was ‘definitely’ the right decision to make, adding that Rangers’ demise was sad to see, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play for a club like Everton under David Moyes.
“Football-wise definitely,” said Naismith. “It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my career. But when you look at what I have managed to achieve since personally, it has been a good one. There is collateral damage and that was always going to happen. And the more the process went on the more you could see it was going to happen and that you were irrelevant in the whole situation. That’s the saddest thing. There are so many good people.”
“I subsequently went on to Everton, where the club is filled with these people who drive the club. Who, when guys like Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Mirallas come in, they can’t not understand what it’s about because these people are there day in, day out. And that is the biggest problem that comes with the collateral damage [at Rangers]. It is sad to see. Take away being a fan or being at the club before or anything like that, just for Scottish football. There are a lot of good clubs in good places and that could make the league very entertaining so hopefully it can get back to that.”
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