Steven Naismith eyes Euro 2020 qualification as he closes in on 50 Scotland caps

Posted on November 1, 2019 by rosa-zubizarreta

Steven Naismith admits he never expected to get close to 50 caps but says helping Scotland qualify for a major tournament are his greatest achievement in blue.
The Hearts will attain a century of looks if he chooses the field from Russia in Scotland’s fifth Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.
But the accolade that the 32-year-old is so concerned about is becoming one of the Scotland players because the country qualified to the World Cup in France in 34, to make a finals.
On the possibility of a 50th cap, the former Kilmarnock, Rangers, Everton and Norwich player said:”It might be a fantastic honour. I don’t think where I’m at personally and that is concerning where we’re in at the front of my mind.
“It would be something I would likely return and scratch my head to say,’How can I handle that?’ To get in terms of caps, which was something that I never believed I could achieve.
“You reach 25 and sort of lose track of it and before you know it you’re nearing 50. Personally, great achievement, however, the desire is for us to earn a tournament. That would go way.
“For me was through a fair few campaigns that you feel as in the event you owe (the fans) because we have underachieved in the preceding campaigns so you are desperate to do it.”
Naismith says he insists their qualification document is unacceptable also anticipated to qualify with the players Scotland have had at their disposal for major tournaments.
“I know how close we are, we have an excellent pool of players who are playing in their peak in a fantastic league, England and abroad. We just need to think it and go out and show it to the playground,” he explained.
“It has not been great enough, simple as. When I came in we had gamers like that, Barry Ferguson Darren Fletcher. It needs to modify. The competition for positions is that there, the manager has a very clear strategy and can be meticulous, thus we are taking the right measures.”
Steve Clarke Kilmarnock last year and tried to signal Naismith, for West Brom in 2012, and the Hearts has been impressed after getting to use the Scotland manager.
“The greatest thing is there’s a clear plan and we will work on that plan as soon as we could and as long as we need to,” he explained. “However, this next phase of games are going to be very important.”
Naismith declared himself match as suffering a hamstring injury for Hearts despite playing only nine minutes.
“I have been cautious with some of the injuries I’ve had, with where I had been in terms of outside of contract,” said Naismith, who had two knee operations last year.
“But I’ve had a great few weeks’ training and I am feeling good. When you get old it’s more of a life thing, instead of undergo work and jelqing really tough to remain fit, you obviously stay healthy during the entire year.”