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How Do We Stop Steven Naismith? – Opinion

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Steven has been banging them in since he made his Kilmarnock debut 15 years ago, and as the years progressed the Scotland international continued to net bags full post-Rugby Park IE during his Rangers and Everton tenure.

The only time he found his goal tally drop was when he so-called struggled at Norwich City.

Now applying his trade at Heart of Midlothian the 32-year-old has found his form and shall we say, become a nuisance once again.

Steven Naismith stats

Player of the Month

On receiving his Premiership Player of the Month prize a couple of days ago, the Irvine born striker admitted his permanent move from England’s south-east to Scotland’s capital proved his decision was the right one.

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“If you look where my career was sitting in the summer, not so involved in the national team and not playing regularly, to decide to come here and start so well, then fight my way back into the national team shows it was the right choice.

“How much I’ve enjoyed the first few months of the season is also something I’ve missed during the time I was out (of the team at Norwich).

“This is the most consistent I’ve been for a while. Hopefully, we can continue, and success can follow on.”

How do we stop him scoring?

We have nine recognised defenders plus a similar amount of midfielders, and so it goes without saying. Mark him – stifle him – kick his chins, do what is right while remaining within the letter of the law – hound him off the ball.

Easier said than done?

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I don’t want to see a player of any opposing team hacked to death. I mean, that is not in the spirit of the game is it.

I believe Neil Lennon will have a plan, a cunning plan to keep Steven from adding to his goal tally. What that plan is going to be will be revealed on Wednesday 31 October when we face our neighbours.

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