Jim Jefferries on Naismith for us and also on his best position

[Boab 73]

HE was a young man in a hurry. When Steven Naismith signed for Rangers in August, 2007, as the transfer window was about to slam shut, big things were expected of the then SPFA Young Player of the Year.

He had made a name for himself as one of the brightest young talents in the SPL and, with interest coming in the form of the Premiership where he went on a two-day trial at Arsenal, Gers had every right to believe the then 20-year-old would flourish in the esteemed company at Murray Park.

Except, like many young players who are fast-tracked to the Old Firm, it just simply hasn't worked out like that for Naismith.

The talent remains, but it is the consistency that has been lacking. That may seem harsh considering the player toiled with a debilitating cruciate knee ligament injury that has significantly hampered the impact he has been able to have on Walter Smith's side.

But the player's return of just five goals so far in his Ibrox career is short of the expectations that were placed on him when he arrived, and there have been whispers that his time might be up at the club.

However, Jim Jefferies, who brought Naismith through from the youth ranks and into the first team at Kilmarnock, believes that it is far too early to write off Naismith's Ibrox career.

"I would be really surprised if Rangers were ready to let him go," he said.

"Only a few weeks ago I was speaking to Ally McCoist about him and I know that both he and Walter Smith rate him highly.

"The problem for Steven was that he got a really bad injury at a time when he was coming into the team and he has been unlucky in that respect.

"I also think that he has also been desperate to make an impression and show what he can do and has maybe rushed back a bit too early from injury.

"It wasn't so long ago that the kind of injury he had could leave your career in tatters, so that is how big an operation and rehabilitation he faced.

"I don't think he was at his best towards the end of last season but he is a young player and there is so much more still to come from him.

"Because of that, I really would be amazed if Rangers decided to cut their losses and allow him to move on because I still believe he will prove to be money well spent."

Naismith's best position is something that is yet to be decided upon by either player or club.

Now 22, he has admitted that he harbours an aim to play a forward role, but Jefferies believes that playing that wide-left - a problem area throughout last term for Rangers - is his ideal position.

"Sometimes being versatile can be a big string to a player's bow and other times it can actually be a bit of a hindrance," said Jefferies "I don't think that Rangers have yet decided where his best position is.

"We always felt that when he was cutting in, particularly from the left-side, that he was at his best because he could do so much; he would always work back and put in a tackle, but he was also able to lay off a ball for one of the strikers or get into the box and on the end of something.

"Equally, he was comfortable playing up front and I think that as he gets older and more experienced, he may well play more as a striker. He certainly has the eye of a goalscorer, although there is plenty of competition for that spot at Ibrox.

"He is aggressive and he is good in the air for his size and this will be an important season for him. It is far too early for anyone to make any judgment calls on him because he is a young lad who still has a lot of talent."

While Jefferies can only look on enviously at the talent Rangers have within their ranks, he believes that the close look Naismith is getting of the resources at Smith's disposal will be a source of frustration for his former protege.

"When he left us he left a huge gap that was very difficult for us to fill," he said.

"Rangers came in for him more or less on deadline which meant we had no time to go and get a replacement and we really struggled for the remainder of that season.

"What a lot of players struggle to adapt to when they move to either Rangers or Celtic is that you won't play every week.

"The Old Firm managers are lucky in that they can field certain players for certain games and that is something that will have been difficult for a lad like Steven to take because he wants to be involved in everything.

"He has a great appetite for the game and he is a winner,.

"I have said it often enough, but he was a joy to work with.

"His application, his enthusiasm and his commitment were excellent. The only thing is that natural youthful exuberance he had that meant he wanted it all and he wanted it in a hurry.

"But that is just maturity and that comes with experience. He is maybe a wee bit frustrated himself because he knows he is good enough to be at Rangers but needs the opportunities to prove it."

Publication date 16/07/09

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/displa...r_for_years.php

[Orangeclement 556]

cheers for that Boad good article

[sandyboyblue 226]

Let`s hope the young lad lives up to his billing. An important season for him ahead, I`d be delighted to see him fulfill his potential.

[Nemesis 277]

With money tight we really need to see this boy come good

We paid good money for him and before the injury he was looking good.

I believe if we give him a consistent run of games a la Whittaker then he will flourish

To be honest I don't think Wattie has much choice but to give him a whirl.

[EddieBadabing 0]

I've always thought that his best position was left mid, even before he signed for us.

I always thought that cutting in from the left (as Jeffries says) was his best asset, and I recall him doing this at Parkhead for Killie, cutting in from the left at the halfway line and putting the afterburners on leaving the Seltic player trailing. Think it resulted in a goal.

He has a major battle on his hands to stake a first team place, he must produce goals and assists, and produce consistently to succeed.

[NorthUistBear 86]

he will have to play his part this season, we will depend on guys like naismith, aaron, fleck etc in the league. hope he does it for us

[Poetry_In_Blue 1,043]

I just hope he doesn't try too hard, and relax and enjoy what game time he gets.

[Stuart_RFC 41]

I can't stand Jim Jefferies.

[BlueSuedeSambas 52,715]

So the manager wh brought him through at Killie believes that he is best at left midfield, yet Walter has regularly been slated for "shoehorning" him there for us

I think we should be seeing if Naisy would be interested in going back to Killie for a loan spell.

He's not going to get sufficent game time with us to get his fitness and self confidence back upto scratch, but I still think there is a player in there.

[papaguy51 912]

So the manager wh brought him through at Killie believes that he is best at left midfield, yet Walter has regularly been slated for "shoehorning" him there for us

I think we should be seeing if Naisy would be interested in going back to Killie for a loan spell.

He's not going to get sufficent game time with us to get his fitness and self confidence back upto scratch, but I still think there is a player in there.

Does Jefferies not mean the left hand side of an attacking prong?

We shoehorned him in a left midfield role of a defensive midfield, expecting him to track back and continually help out Papac.

And we brought him back into the box to defend corners

[Poetry_In_Blue 1,043]

So the manager wh brought him through at Killie believes that he is best at left midfield, yet Walter has regularly been slated for "shoehorning" him there for us

I think we should be seeing if Naisy would be interested in going back to Killie for a loan spell.

He's not going to get sufficent game time with us to get his fitness and self confidence back upto scratch, but I still think there is a player in there.

Tis interesting surely both managers can't be wrong?

As we're trimming the squad I don't think he should go out on loan, Naisy said himself in an interview recently that this will be his first proper pre-season training with Rangers for him, don't know why that is, but get a good pre-season under him and play in friendlies he should be at the same level as the other players for when the season starts.

[disgruntled_bear 157]

If we were playing 4-3-3 then yes Naismith could do a job cutting in from the left, but if were playing 4-4-2 then no Naismith will struggle out at left mid.

All depends what set up Walter uses next season.

[Boab 73]

If we were playing 4-3-3 then yes Naismith could do a job cutting in from the left, but if were playing 4-4-2 then no Naismith will struggle out at left mid.

I agree.

[Poetry_In_Blue 1,043]

So the manager wh brought him through at Killie believes that he is best at left midfield, yet Walter has regularly been slated for "shoehorning" him there for us

I think we should be seeing if Naisy would be interested in going back to Killie for a loan spell.

He's not going to get sufficent game time with us to get his fitness and self confidence back upto scratch, but I still think there is a player in there.

Does Jefferies not mean the left hand side of an attacking prong?

We shoehorned him in a left midfield role of a defensive midfield, expecting him to track back and continually help out Papac.

And we brought him back into the box to defend corners

Nah, he clearly said wide left according to this part, also aggressive, and good in the air for his size, I'm sure there was a bit where he mentioned tackling.

Now 22, he has admitted that he harbours an aim to play a forward role, but Jefferies believes that playing that wide-left - a problem area throughout last term for Rangers - is his ideal position.

"Sometimes being versatile can be a big string to a player's bow and other times it can actually be a bit of a hindrance," said Jefferies "I don't think that Rangers have yet decided where his best position is.

"We always felt that when he was cutting in, particularly from the left-side, that he was at his best because he could do so much; he would always work back and put in a tackle, but he was also able to lay off a ball for one of the strikers or get into the box and on the end of something.

"Equally, he was comfortable playing up front and I think that as he gets older and more experienced, he may well play more as a striker. He certainly has the eye of a goalscorer, although there is plenty of competition for that spot at Ibrox.

"He is aggressive and he is good in the air for his size and this will be an important season for him. It is far too early for anyone to make any judgment calls on him because he is a young lad who still has a lot of talent."

[papaguy51 912]

I really don't think he means wide left of midfield.

Wide left, up front in 4-3-3 is where I'd play him. Not just in front of Papac though

[Boab 73]

I've heard our dour Jim describe Kilmarnock's system as a 4-3-3 in the past mind you.

[Poetry_In_Blue 1,043]

I really don't think he means wide left of midfield.

Wide left, up front in 4-3-3 is where I'd play him. Not just in front of Papac though

I'm not so sure when he follows it up with

a problem area throughout last term for Rangers - is his ideal position

, the wide left has notably been one of our problem areas all last season.

[nvager 498]

I hope he is sensational, but have my doubts. I was a big fan of signing him, but he has been very poor since day one at Ibrox. Keeps falling over and has done nothing to convince me that he has what it takes. I hope he proves me wrong as I once thought he was the next coming of K Dalglish.

[brissyger 8]

When Naismith gets a game next year it will most likely be on the left. I'd say he's a bit further down the pecking order of strikers than he is left sided players. At this point I'd say we have little to lose, the fee he'd attract wouldn't be anywhere what we paid for him so I say give him a shot and if it works out then great if not then cut him loose next summer.

[docspiderman 1,123]

I have said many times that we paid in panic many times over the odds for a player who was visible for about 15 minutes in games for Killie.

With a bigger club like us his lack of pace and control and true ability has been shown up and will be another loss making signing.