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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Steven Naismith appointed to new Scotland NT role amid backroom staff shake-up

Steven Naismith has been named as Scotland's new assistant coach.

The former Heart of Midlothian manager replaces the departing John Carver, who left the role earlier this year after becoming the boss of Lechia Gdansk in Poland.

Steve Clarke has appointed Naismith, who was previously a coach with the national team during the manager's six-year tenure.

Naisy played under Clarke too, and made 51 appearances in total for Scotland.

He has been out of work since he was sacked by Hearts last September, although was interviewed for the Kilmarnock job when Stuart Kettlewell was appointed.

Leicester City set-piece coach Andrew Hughes has also been added to Scotland's ranks, where he will carry out the same position with the national team.

Both appointments come just a month before World Cup qualifying gets underway, with games against Denmark and Belarus.

"I am delighted to have Steven and Andrew with us for the World Cup qualifying campaign," said Clarke. "Steven has been with us before and brings a real complementary skill set to myself and Alan Irvine.

"He has had opportunities to return to full-time club football, so it says a lot for his pride in the national team that he has agreed to join up with us again. I was really impressed by a number of potential candidates we'd spoken to when John left to continue at Lechia Gdansk but the fact we've worked together before makes for a seamless transition.

"I am also really pleased to have Andrew with us. He has coached in a variety of roles since retiring from playing but has excelled as set-piece coach at Norwich City and now Leicester City and I am grateful to Marti Cifuentes for allowing Andrew to work with us during the international windows."

Naismith added: "I am really excited to be re-joining the Scotland men's national team coaching staff under Steve. When I left Hearts, I made a point of not jumping straight back in at the first offer but to reflect on my coaching experiences and wait for something that really excited me.

"When I first spoke to Steve about the possibility of coming back it was a no-brainer: I loved playing for my country, I've loved being part of the coaching team previously and I can't wait to help support the mission to take Scotland to a World Cup again."

Hughes said: "From the moment I got the call from Steve I have felt extremely honoured to be invited to work with the Scotland men's national team.

"My father is Scottish and as well as this being a proud moment for me and my family, it is a hugely exciting time as a coach to be part of a World Cup qualifying campaign, with such a talented squad, following back-to-back Euro qualifications. I can't wait to get started."

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