Former Rangers star Steven Naismith has retired from football and taken up a development role at Hearts.
Naismith spent five years at Ibrox between 2007 and 2012, winning three league titles, a Scottish Cup and two League Cups.
He made 132 appearances across all competitions, scoring 33 goals and notching 30 assists.
The forward moved to England in 2012 and played for Everton and Norwich City, racking up 19 goals from 116 Premier League appearances.
He returned to Scotland in 2018, initially signing for Hearts on loan before penning a four-year deal in 2019.
However, aged 34, he has now called time on his playing career, two years before his contract was due to expire.
Naismith skippered the Jambos to the Championship title last season but he’ll play no part in their first season back in the top-flight and has instead taken up a position as Player Development Manager at Tynecastle.
“It is always a big decision for any player to hang up his boots, but I feel the time is now right to make a transformation from playing into a football development role,” he said [Heartsfc.co.uk]
“I am fortunate and delighted that Hearts see me as someone that can bring a positive dynamic to the football development structure at the club, where I will be assisting and shaping the development of players making their way towards the first team.”
Naismith was a key player during his time at Ibrox but his legacy at the club was tarnished somewhat by comments made during the club’s financial collapse in 2012.
In other news, a controversial figure Rangers called to be suspended will be at Ibrox next month.
