Steven Naismith admits that he never expected to get close to 50 international caps but says helping Scotland qualify for a tournament are his greatest achievement in blue.
The Hearts will reach a half century of looks if he chooses the field against Russia in Scotland Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.
But the only accolade that the 32-year-old is concerned about is now getting to be one of the first Scotland players since the country qualified to the World Cup in France in 34, to create a finals.
On the prospect of a 50th cap, the former Kilmarnock, Rangers, Everton and Norwich participant said:”It could be a great honour. I don’t think where I’m at personally and that’s at the front of my thoughts.
“It’d be something I’d likely return on and scratch my head to say,’How can I handle that?’ Even to get in terms of caps, that was something that I never truly believed I could achieve.
“You get to 25 and kind of lose track of it and before you know it you are nearing 50. Personally, terrific accomplishment, but the desire is for us to make a tournament. That goes far beyond the 50-cap mark.
“For me was through a fair few campaigns that you feel as in the event that you owe (the lovers ) because we’ve underachieved in the preceding campaigns so you are desperate to get it done.”
Naismith says he insists their qualification document is unacceptable and anticipated to qualify for tournaments.
“I understand how near we are, we’ve got a very good pool of players that are playing in their summit in a great league, England and abroad. We just have to think it and go out and show it on the park,” he explained.
“It’s not been great enough, simple as. When I came in we had gamers like that, Barry Ferguson Darren Fletcher. It ought to modify. The competition for places is there, the supervisor has a very clear strategy and can be meticulous, thus we’re taking the appropriate actions.”
Steve Clarke Kilmarnock year and twice tried to sign Naismith, for West Brom at 2012, after eventually getting to use all the Scotland manager, and the Hearts has been impressed.
“The greatest thing is there is a very clear plan and we’ll work on that strategy as soon as we can and as long as we will need to,” he explained. “But this next phase of games will be really important.”
Naismith declared himself match for Hearts as suffering a hamstring injury despite playing just nine moments.
“I have been careful with a number of the injuries I have had, together with where I had been in relation to out of contract,” said Naismith, who had two knee surgeries last season.
“But I’ve had a fantastic few months’ training and I’m feeling good. When you get old it is more of a life thing, instead of undergo pre-season and work really hard to stay fit, you obviously stay fit throughout the year.”

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