STEVEN NAISMITH NAMES HEARTS MASTERPLAN TO HELP GORDON AND CLARK SEAL EURO 2024 SPOTS

Steven Naismith will consider looking after his No.1s in a bid to land a unique goalkeeping double at the Euros.

The Hearts boss will restore Zander Clark between the sticks at the expense of Craig Gordon today as the Jambos try to seal third spot with a win over nearest rivals Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. And if the Jambos triumph on Killie’s plastic pitch for the third time this term – having won there in the League Cup and Premiership – Naismith will ponder the prospect of rotating the keepers in the final four games to give both the best possible chance of making Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for Germany.

The Hearts boss believes Clark will take only three keepers, despite squad sizes being boosted to 26, which will leave Clark and Gordon vying with Motherwell’s Liam Kelly for the two back-up spots behind Angus Gunn. Naismith said: “I think we’re in this position because the two goalies have pushed each other.

“From the different circumstances of Craigy being a long-term injury to coming back at a certain time, they’ve pushed each other, and that’s been the drive. The way it’s played out, Craigy had to show he was back.

“There was never going to be a case where I played Craig unless I felt he was back, and I’ve worked with him and played with him enough to know when that moment came. It’s like every player, if you’re not on it you’ll not play and that’s the way it’s been. Both of them will say they want to play every game. Unfortunately only one goalie plays.

“Zander will play against Killie because it’s an important game and we go back to the way we’ve worked all season. Both will be desperate to do all they can to get in the team. But all I can be is honest with them and that’s what I have been.

“They’ve both given themselves a chance of being in the squad. The fact they were both picked for the last squad shows the manager wants to understand where they both are and that they’re both in his plans. The brutal part of football is when squads are announced there are only so many who can go. There’s losers as well as winners.

Asked if rotation was a possibility, he added: “I want to just think about getting third. But it’s an option. Is much going to change in the next two or there games? I’m not sure. But it’s probably something I’ll think about.”

Naismith’s immediate priority is making third place in the Premiership unassailable and then trying to hit a points target of at least 70. His side have accrued 62 to date and Naismith wants his men to enjoy the rare opportunity to finish the season without any pressure if they get the job done in Ayrshire.

He said: “I think we can hit 70 points, that’s something we’ve talked about. I’m not going to make it a target but I think it’s realistic that we could do it.

“Being in football for 20 years, there are not many times when you can get a good month where you can just play with freedom, enjoyment and no pressure. We’ve got to enjoy that but with us being a driven group you will still have those targets.

“It’s not about tryingto drive every last ounce out of the players at this moment, it’s about enjoying being comfortable and trying to get that freedom when you play. Then you can try risky passes and try some of the danger things we want to do and get to where it’s comfortable.

“You also look at the squad we have and, if anybody is carrying wee niggles, you can effectively give them time to make sure they are healing. We have a drive and I think 70 points is reasonable and realistic.”

2024-04-27T05:09:31Z dg43tfdfdgfd