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http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...everton-steven-naismith-admits-might-10575782
Everton: Steven Naismith admits he might have to quit Blues
Scot may seek January move as he struggles for minutes
Steven Naismith
Everton’s Steven Naismith has admitted that he might have to quit the Blues if he can’t get regular football under Roberto Martinez.
The Scottish international has endured a frustrating season so far at Goodison – despite netting a perfect hat-trick against Premier League champions Chelsea in September.
Norwich City had a £8million offer for Naismith on transfer deadline rejected but he hasn’t started a game since the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United on October 17 with his only appearances since as a substitute in the Capital One Cup ties against Norwich City and Middlesbrough.
The 29-year-old said: “When Norwich were interested in me in the summer, it was the manager who said he didn’t want it to happen. But as a player you need to think about all your options.
“The manager said we’d speak about it again come January time so we’ll do that.
“At the moment I’m just concentrating on playing my football as part of a great squad and hopefully if I get my chance to play again, I take it.
“But you’ve got to weigh up all your options and see where you’re at.
“At the start of the season I wasn’t playing then got thrown on nine minutes into the Chelsea game and not many people would’ve seen me scoring a hat-trick. That shows you how quickly it can change.”
Everton's Steven Naismith (centre) celebrates his hat-trick with team-mate Aaron Lennon in front of the home fans during the Barclays Premier League match at Goodison Park Dave Thompson/PA Wire.
Naismith, who was speaking while back in Glasgow to sponsor a Christmas lunch organised by the Loaves and Fishes charity for the city’s homeless, admitted he’s found it challenging being forced to a role of understudy – along with the likes of Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon – due to the form of Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu and resurgence of Arouna Kone.
He said: “We’ve got a squad that is full of unbelievable young talent and when you’re not playing, it’s amazing to sit and watch these guys play with no fear,” said the Scot, who has tasted just four minutes of action in the last six weeks.
“But on the other side of it I’m frustrated that I can’t get into the team. Other times I’ve been out of the team it’s been because of injuries - but this time I’m fit every week, so it’s hard to deal with.
“However, as long as this good run goes I’m just going to have to get used to being on the bench.”
On top of his frustrations with the Blues, Naismith saw his hopes of reaching his first-ever major international tournament evaporate when Scotland failed to escape their Euro 2016 qualifying group.
A round of national soul searching followed that disappointment but Naismith is not ready to turn his back on Gordon Strachan’s squad.
He added: “I’ve not really thought about ending my Scotland career. I’ve enjoyed it all from my first cap against the Faroes back in 2007 right up until now.
“The last campaign was probably the cruellest campaign but we still believe that we can do something as a squad.
“There are maybe a few players that will have a look at their international career and think I’ve got a decision to make but the majority are coming into their prime so I can’t imagine there will be too many walking away.
“I don’t want to finish my career without having played at a major tournament so that is definitely a driving factor.
“The other Home Nations will be going to the Euros next summer and it’s frustrating that we won’t when we felt we were just as good, so that has got to drive us on in the future.”
Those who like naismith are basically spitting on dixie deans grave
Dithering Dougie
Banned
I'd be sorry to see him leave after how he turned it round.
He's still a good option off the bench and offers us something different to our other attackers.
He's still a good option off the bench and offers us something different to our other attackers.
Matty_j1878
Yer ma's favorite ITK. Mmmmmm Juicy.
He genuinely just runs about leaving gaps of space in the midfield. Nothing more than a cart horse.
'But lad he scored a hat-trick v Chelsea', so did Dion Dublin for Coventry and what?
'But lad he scored a hat-trick v Chelsea', so did Dion Dublin for Coventry and what?
toffeejack
Player Valuation: £100m
can#t believe the abuse he gets on here - he's been a great bit of business and if he goes he has my best wishes. He's not the most talented, we all knew that when he arrived, but he always gives 100% and scored some very important goals in the biggest of games.
We all loved cahill for very similar traits. He can still offer something as a squad player off the bench because he's a good instinctive finisher, but if we get an offer now like norwich's in the summer, we should definitely sell, that was too late in the window and i agreed with the rejection.
not every footballer is going to be ronaldo, if they give it their all like he does then that's alright by me, think the criticism is uncalled for.
We all loved cahill for very similar traits. He can still offer something as a squad player off the bench because he's a good instinctive finisher, but if we get an offer now like norwich's in the summer, we should definitely sell, that was too late in the window and i agreed with the rejection.
not every footballer is going to be ronaldo, if they give it their all like he does then that's alright by me, think the criticism is uncalled for.
JoshBarkley7
Player Valuation: £500k
Could get some really really good money for him, McGeady and Kev in January. Could get well over 22m which would give us 30+ million to spend on a world-class player. Could sell Rom for £50m in the summer giving us a humongous £80m for transfer fees. if we don't make top 5 then we could buy an even better striker and a world-class playmaker.
Agree completely, their are some complete spoons on here
CahillsCornerFlag
Player Valuation: £70m
If they come back with an £8m offer again, I'd snap their arm off. Shouldn't be getting on the pitch ahead of Lennon or Mirallas for me.
ijjysmith
Calm
Pretty much disagree with all that mate apart from the we should sell bit.
Great bit of business? He was a free. He'd have to be bloody awful to not be. Plus I don't know what we've paid him, but has it been worth all that?
He's an OK player who is pretty good at finishing. But outside that I really don't see what he can do.
He'd start every game at a Norwich. Let him go if they still want him. I feel we need better if we are to get where we are apparently going.
ijjysmith
Calm
So by not rating a player people are spoons?
I seen the interview on SSN there and he didn't say that he wanted to leave at all, he said that it was difficult building up to the weekend when you're not playing. He also said that Everton is a great club to be at and he's enjoying watching the young lads playing so well. The interviewer then pressed him on the Norwich bid and asked if he would be looking for a move in Jan? He replied that the manager said they would have a conversation ie. It's up to the manager. So that headline about him seeking a move is bollocks
He's got a bit of snide about him that we generally don't have a lot of.
Useful sometimes.
bluemangroup
Player Valuation: £70m
He's the oppositions best defensive midfielder. Breaks up every attack
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