By Fraser Wilson

Naismith hopes to add more goals to his game next season

Rangers forward Steven Naismith was delighted with his form last season, following his return from injury.

And the 23-year-old is eager to build on a title-winning campaign and cement his position in Walter Smith's side.

"It was a much better season for me, in fact it was far and away my best season for Rangers," said Naismith.

"My goal next term is to be a regular in the team and on the score-sheet. I'm fortunate to have three Scotland caps and I'm eager for more."

Naismith hopes to progress further with Rangers, looking to reach the knock-out stages of the Champions League and securing a third championship-in-a-row, but knows that he will have to work hard to secure a starting place

"I had three weeks to myself and then I started doing my own training to get me ready for the pre-season," he explained.

The Ayrshire native has been unfortunate in experiencing a stop-start three seasons with the champions, after trying to acclimatise during his first campaign and then suffering a knee injury that kept him out for nine months and the majority of his second-term.

But the ex-Kilmarnock striker got off to a great start last term as his pace and work-rate were preferred on the wings for Champions League matches, and his ingenuity secured him a place in Smith's domestic starting XI until tearing his hamstring in November.

I had a really good upbringing and I have enough people around me to keep my feet on the ground Steven Naismith

"I found it hard to break into the first team after my initial move, but that's to be expected," he added.

"My second season was going so well, then obviously with my injury against St Johnstone in the cup I thought it was a really harsh twist of fate.

"But last season was great and I'm happy with how I came back from my hamstring injury. I felt much more part of the team and their achievements, and from a personal point of view I feel I contributed well throughout the season."

Naismith believes he left Kilmarnock at the right time in his career, but was more than happy to see the Rugby Park outfit stay in the Scottish Premier League.

"We were having a great run at Kilmarnock at the time; we were consistently in the top six, we reached a cup final and we had a great squad," explained the forward.

"I wish I could change the circumstances in which I moved, but I felt it was the right time for me. I still have a lot of great personal friends at the club.

"I owe a lot to Jim Clark who helped me break into the youth ranks, and Alan Robertson who was one of the biggest influences on me and my career, but also Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown when I broke into the first team, they really helped me.

"It's massive for them to stay in the SPL. I think it was well highlighted that it could have been a life or death situation for them if they had been relegated and I'm delighted they've stayed up."

Naismith is enjoying the summer break with close friends and family, the people he feels have helped keep him grounded on his rapid rise to fame.

"I've had a few holidays and trips away with my friends.

"I had a really good upbringing and I have enough people around me to keep my feet on the ground. I think it's important to do so."

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