Thursday, 13th November, 2014



Scotland forward Steven Naismith has insisted that he is not worried about receiving a hostile reception at Celtic Park for his nation’s 2016 European Championship qualifier against Ireland tomorrow.

The 28-year-old spent five seasons with Celtic’s arch rivals Rangers before moving to Everton in 2012.




And Naismith, who explained that hostile receptions are part and parcel of the game, is however hopeful about the fans at Celtic Park looking at the broader picture and cheering for him in a Scotland shirt.

"The fans are going to come and support Scotland, and that's going to be their main priority", he told the BBC.

"Every away ground I go to fans boo me, and I shout comments. It's part of the game.

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"I don't think it will be that big a deal, I don't think it will be something that will play on their minds or even the Scotland fans'. They will hopefully be cheering us.”

Naismith further added that his Everton team-mate and ex-Celtic player Aiden McGeady will relish returning to his former stomping ground.

“For Aiden personally it's going to be a big event going back to Celtic Park", he added.

After tomorrow’s encounter with Ireland at Celtic Park, Scotland will welcome England to the ground for a friendly fixture on Tuesday.

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