Naismith aims for 'third time lucky' with Scotland

Steven Naismith (left) will be Steve Clarke's assistant for Scotland's World Cup qualifying bid

World Cup qualifying: Denmark v Scotland

Venue: Parken, Copenhagen Date: Friday, 5 September Kick-off: 19:45 BST

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"Third time lucky."

Hanging up his boots meant Steven Naismith missed out on Euro 2020 with Scotland, before the full-time job as Hearts manager took him out of Steve Clarke's backroom staff ahead of Euro 2024.

Now he returns as Clarke's assistant, replacing John Carver, and is using those two near misses as motivation as he says Scotland "definitely" have what it takes to reach the World Cup next summer.

"I've sat there and thought 'I wish that was me, I wish I was part of that'," Naismith told BBC Scotland.

"One of my last camps as a coach, we beat Spain at home with a brilliant performance. It was a different stage of my coaching career, but it was incredible how valuable it was to me."

His experience with Hearts ended sourly - an eight-game losing sequence leading to his sacking almost a year ago. But he did get some experience of coaching in European competition, albeit as a 'technical director' to satisfy Uefa regulations.

He also guided Hearts to a comfortable third-place the season prior with a superb away record, which had previously been the club's Achilles heel.

"I was at a position where I was working with youth players and players just starting out, and then I was working with the best players the country's produced," he said of his first spell in Clarke's coaching team.

"It's a brilliant role to be in. I definitely think I'll add more value now than I did before."

'There's nobody half-in'

As a player, Naismith is listed in Scotland's roll of honour after his 51 caps and captained the national side during that Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Cyprus and Kazakhstan.

Having made his debut at 21, he has known every stage of international football, except a major competition.

What do this squad, who have "consistently made Euros now" have, that's got them there, though?

"Togetherness," Naismith said.

"There's nobody half-in. They've got a real togetherness that even, when there is disappointment of not playing or being taken off, it doesn't linger, you're back there for the squad.

"That's been the biggest difference I've seen from first time round."

Along with that unity, the former forward cited mentality as a key factor. This is group who, largely, tussle with the top teams week in, week out and have got "the tournament monkey off the back".

"There's probably a third of them at the very start of their international journey, but that core group that's going to lead them, the only thing they've not done is got the World Cup," he added.

"We've consistently made Euros now. The players are playing at some of the best clubs in the world. They're competing for tournaments at club level. The next thing, and one of the biggest things for them, will be to make a World Cup."

He points to the wisdom of Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay, the latter now Ballon d'Or nominated, to add to the accolades.

"I don't think there's a better group of pros to guide the younger players," Naismith added. "The last 18 months has been transitional. There are a lot more players now emerging.

"You look at the squad, and there are maybe five to 10 players who are coming in, who are learning, who probably are slightly unsure of how to act, how to be around the others."

"Right from the top, these are all guys that will guide them. I'm sure that what the manager's created is just a brilliant environment. Everybody will be learning from it."