Steven Naismith’s potential return has been fleetingly spoken about in recent times. Surely now, however, it’s a simple no-go.
The Hearts star was linked with a return to Ibrox at the start of the season. Many supporters weren’t convinced due to the fact that he had only managed to bag four goals in 16 Jambos appearances.
Combine that with the fact that supporters are still angry with his departure from Ibrox in the first place – you could understand why he wasn’t a popular option to return to Ibrox.
Yet, renewed form at the start of the season threw his name up once again. Another potential move in January or at the season of the season could’ve been a possibility. With 11 goals in 16 outings so far for the Jambos this season, he was one to watch heading into the Winter.
But, a dreadful knee injury forced the Scotland international to require some surgery in recent weeks. He’s now scheduled to return for Hearts in a few weeks’ time as he looks to announce himself once more.
Forget it
As for Rangers’ interest, however, surely now is the time to forget going for their former man. Naismith’s form is now a thing of the past and he has to go about improving himself once more.
It’s still going to take a lot of convincing for Rangers to try and get this deal over the line in the future. Plenty simply don’t want Naismith to return to Ibrox after abandoning the club in the dark days. Whilst Allan McGregor and Kyle Lafferty have shown that a return is possible, it would still be difficult for him.
Rangers, however, are still in the market for another striker to help Alfredo Morelos with his goal-burden. This is likely going to be one of the places the club look to strengthen in January.
Names such as Dominic Solanke have been thrown into the mix as potential targets. This is a level above which Naismith had been operating even before his injury. Therefore, even at this best, a deal for the Scotland star would’ve probably only have been a last resort.
Hearts will look to play hard-ball regardless, especially given the fact Lafferty has already been sold to Ibrox.
Naismith’s injury, however, has robbed him of his momentum and his evidence of being in good enough form to return.
Perhaps this is something that Rangers will look at further down the line. In January however? Surely not.
