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

Steven Naismith admits that he expected to get near to 50 caps but says assisting Scotland qualify for a significant tournament would be his greatest accomplishment in blue.
The Hearts will attain a half century of looks if he takes to the field from Russia at Scotland’s fifth Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.
But the accolade the 32-year-old is concerned about is getting to be one of the first Scotland players because the country qualified for the World Cup in France in 1998 to make a finals.
On the prospect of a 50th cap, the former Kilmarnock, Rangers, Everton and Norwich participant said:”It might be a fantastic honor. I don’t think where I am at personally and that is at the very front of my head in terms of where we are in.
“It’d be something I would probably return and scratch my head to say,’How did I handle that?’ Even to get in terms of caps, that was something.
“You get to 25 and kind of lose track of this and before you know it you’re nearing 50. Personally accomplishment, however, the biggest desire is for people to earn a tournament. That would go way.
“For me personally having been through a fair few campaigns you feel as if you owe (the lovers ) since we have underachieved in the last campaigns so you’re desperate to get it done.”
Naismith says he expected to qualify for tournaments also insists their qualification record is unacceptable.
“I know how near we are, we have a very good pool of players that are playing at their summit in a terrific league, England and overseas. We just need to think it and go out and show it on the playground,” he explained.
“It has not been great enough, simple as. When I came in we’d Barry Ferguson, David Weir, Darren Fletcher, gamers like this. It ought to modify. The competition for places is there, the manager has a clear plan and is meticulous, so we’re taking the correct measures.”
Last 17, steve Clarke tried to sign Naismith and Kilmarnock, after getting to work with the Scotland manager along with the Hearts forward was impressed.
“The biggest thing is there is a clear plan and we will work on that plan as soon as we can as long as we will need to,” he said. “However, this next period of games are going to be really important.”
Naismith declared himself match for Hearts as suffering a hamstring injury against Ross County on August 10 despite playing only nine moments.
“I’ve been cautious with some of the injuries I have had, together with where I was in terms of outside of contract,” said Naismith, who had two knee surgeries last year.
“But I have had a fantastic few weeks’ training and I’m feeling good. When you get older it’s more of a life item, instead of undergo work and jelqing very tough to remain fit, you obviously stay healthy throughout the entire year.”

Canica