Faced with the prospect of playing against Celtic and Scott Brown’s Aberdeen Steven Naismith has decided to retire from football at the age of 34.
In 2019 he signed a four year deal offered by Craig Levein but has been posted missing for much of the time with a return to the top flight too much for him to handle.
Naisy told the Daily Record:
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.
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.
Famously in 2012 wee Naisy walked out on Charles Green’s newly formed Sevco club, joining Everton as a free agent before picking up another massive pay day from Norwich in January 2016 as they prepared for relegation to The Championship.
After two loan spells at Hearts he signed a permanent deal in 2019 for a reported £7,500 per week. In his first season as a Jambo the club were relegated with Naisy starting just 14 Premiership matches.
During his final season he picked up a Scottish Cup losers medal, starting just 11 of 27 Championship matches as Hearts bounced back to the top flight.