Kilmarnock prepare for talks with Steven Naismith over stunning return to Rugby Park as manager to replace Derek McInnes
HOMEWARD BOUND Kilmarnock prepare for talks with Steven Naismith over stunning return to Rugby Park as manager to replace Derek McInnes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
KILMARNOCK are ready to try to tempt Steven Naismith back into management.
SunSport understands the Rugby Park side want talks with their former player as they begin the search for Derek McInnes' successor.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
4
Steven Naismith was sacked by Hearts in September
Credit: Willie Vass
4
But he could be set for a return to former club Kilmarnock as their new boss
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
4
Naismith was asked about the potential move on The Warm-Up podcast
Credit: THE WARM-UP
Naismith, 38, was axed by Hearts - who McInnes will take charge of - in September and is thought he is keen on a return to the dugout.
The ex-Scotland international refused to rule himself out of the running for the Killie job.
But after being out of football for the first time in his life he insists he will take time to weigh up what he does next.
Asked about the links to the vacant hotseat on the latest episode of The Warm Up, William Hill SPFL's weekly preview show, Naismith said: 'I'll go serious for you and give you a good answer. I'm enjoying the time out.
'It takes over your life, management. It's on your mind all the time.
'I loved it but I've loved my time out. I'm at the point where everything needs to be perfect for me.
'So it has to be the right club, you believe in what it is and that you're going to make a difference. That's where I sit.'
SunSport told on Monday how Naismith would be a leading contender if McInnes left.
McInnes initially claimed he would be in the Killie dugout for the final two games of their season, despite the clubs agreeing he could move to the Jambos.
But he dramatically left his post this morning following Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Motherwell.
Derek McInnes spotted leaving Rugby Park for last time as Kilmarnock fans thank ex-manager
That has hastened Killie's chase for Naismith, who became a club hero after coming through the ranks then netting 32 goals in 105 appearances before being sold to Rangers in 2007 for a club record fee £1.9million.
He was a part of Steve Clarke's backroom team then took charge at Tynecastle on an interim basis in April 2023.
After landing the permanent post he guided them into third spot in his first full season in charge but was then axed just six games into this season with the club sitting at the foot of the table.
It's thought that experience hasn't put Naismith off the role. He has used his time out to further his education by going on club visits and speaking with managers he has worked with in the past, as well analysing things in various media roles.
4
Naismith could replace the departed Derek McInnes
Credit: PA
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
CALUM CROWE: Scott Brown can't live on reputation forever ... he needs to buck up his ideas before it's too late
When Ayr United's bid to win promotion ended in failure at the end of last season, Scott Brown's criticism of his players was brutal and unsparing. After watching his team blow a first-leg lead and lose to Partick Thistle in the play-offs, the former Celtic captain essentially threw them under a bus.
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard warned he could be replaced by £68m target
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been warned he could be replaced by Mikel Arteta's £68m transfer target Eberechi Eze. The Gunners are interested in signing England international Eze from Crystal Palace before the summer transfer window closes. Eze has been one of the most exciting players in the Premier League in recent years and helped Palace win the FA Cup last season. The 27-year-old has earned 11 caps for England since making his international debut in 2023 and featured for the Three Lions at last summer's Euros. While Arsenal want to sign Eze, who has a £68m release clause which expires on Friday, they face competition from north London rivals Tottenham, who have also expressed interest in a deal. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. Speaking after Crystal Palace won the Community Shield on Sunday, Steve Parish gave interested parties hope of signing Eze and Marc Guehi, who is closing in on a move to Liverpool. Ex-England striker and Arsenal fan Darren Bent hopes the Gunners secure a deal and says Eze should favour a move to the red half of north London. 'I'm shocked he's still at Crystal Palace if I'm honest,' Bent said on talkSPORT. 'He is such a talented footballer and he's great to watch. 'You would think there would be more clubs interested in him given his release clause. I'm hoping this gives Arsenal the kick they need to go and get him. 'If you're looking at Arsenal and Tottenham, yes Spurs won a trophy last season and are in the Champions League, but they finished fourth from bottom last year. 'In my opinion Arsenal are in a better place to move forward.' Eze would likely replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on Arsenal's left wing but Bent says he could also play as a ten ahead of Odegaard. Not so long ago Odegaard was Arsenal's most important player but he endured a poor 2024-25 campaign, with Bent insisting his form was 'not good enough'. 'With Odegaard, he's got to look himself in the mirror,' Bent added. 'I'm a big fan of his and I've sat on this show before and argued the case that he's as good as Bruno Fernandes. 'Last season there was no argument, Bruno was head and shoulders above him. I don't know what's happened since the ankle injury but he just hasn't looked the same. Asked directly about Eze in a news conference before Wednesday's Uefa Super Cup against Paris St-Germain, Frank said: 'I think there are a lot of good players out there. 'There are also a few from the PSG team but I don't think we can buy them right now. 'In general, players in or players out, I always speaking about something that is done or not done. In general, I will speak about my own players.' 'Even in pre-season he hasn't looked anywhere near the Odegaard we saw a couple of years ago. Six goals in all comps last season and 11 assists, it wasn't good enough for him, not good enough at all. 'Ethan Nwaneri could be the natural successor. Otherwise you're scratching around and wondering who could play in that position. 'I think if Arsenal were to go and sign Eze from Crystal Palace, then you've got an option there because he can play No. 10 or he can play off the left. 'That will put Odegaard under more pressure because at the minute he's the captain but he's not really being challenged or pushed, he's almost coasting through games at the minute. More Trending 'He has to start the season well. Something's happened with him, I don't know if it's still the injury or something else, but he's got to get back to the Odegaard we know.' Arsenal, who face Manchester United on Sunday in their Premier League opener, could look to offload Trossard, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira before going for Eze. With Eze contracted to Crystal Palace until the summer of 2027, the Eagles will demand around £68m to sell even after his buy-out clause expires. Signing Eze would take Arsenal's summer spending beyond £250m, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke joining Arteta's squad. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd player rejects transfer approach and told he will 'never play for a big club again' MORE: Christopher Nkunku approves transfer to new club as Chelsea make two demands MORE: Jamie Carragher reveals Arsenal's biggest 'problem' and his 'worry' for Liverpool
Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Alan Sheehan hopeful over Malick Yalcouye deal after he saw Swansea beat Crawley
Prospective new signing Malick Yalcouye was at the Stadium to see his potential future team-mates bag a 3-1 win over Crawley to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup. The versatile 19-year-old Brighton player saw Swansea debutant Bobby Wales notch his first goal since joining from Kilmarnock in the summer to add to Ronald's fourth-minute strike. Then another new boy, midfielder Ethan Galbraith, wrapped things up. 'Hopefully we can close the loan deal this week and it will be good to have Malick in the building,' said Swansea boss Alan Sheehan. 'He's a player who will improve us. He has so much energy and he's very highly rated.' Having seen his side go down to a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on the opening weekend of the Championship, Sheehan was delighted at the attacking intent his team displayed at home. 'There were a lot of pleasing aspects in our attack, although we should have scored five or six,' added Sheehan. Crawley are still awaiting their first win of the season, but at least Kabongo Tshimanga was able to give the League Two side their first goal of the season when he scored in the 75th minute. Then the Red Devils saw Gavan Holohan sent off eight minutes later to end their hopes of a fightback. 'We can take some encouragement from the fact we were really present in the game. In the second half we pushed them and we looked like the stronger team before the sending off and potentially could have scored another goal to take it to penalties,' said Crawley boss Scott Lindsey. 'We're probably three players away from building our squad and our treatment room is getting full – it's getting tough and we are a bit threadbare.'
