Steven Naismith is a former Scottish professional footballer who built a respected career across Scotland and England before moving into coaching. Known for his versatility, work rate and ability to play in several attacking roles, he represented clubs including Kilmarnock, Rangers, Everton, Norwich City and Heart of Midlothian. He also earned more than 50 senior caps for Scotland. After ending his playing career, he developed into a coach and later became a prominent figure in the Hearts dugout. Today, his career continues through Scottish football development and coaching.
Quick Bio of Steven Naismith
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Steven John Naismith |
| Born | 14 September 1986 |
| Birthplace | Irvine, Scotland |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Profession | Former footballer and football coach |
| Position | Forward / attacking player |
| Height | Around 1.78 m |
| Wife | Moya Naismith |
| Marriage | 2013 |
| Father | David Naismith |
| Senior Scotland caps | 51 |
| Scotland goals | 10 |
| Playing career | 2003–2021 |
| Major clubs | Kilmarnock, Rangers, Everton, Norwich City, Hearts |
| Current football role | Scotland Under-21 coaching setup |
Who Is Steven Naismith?
So, who is Steven Naismith? He is a former Scotland international who transitioned from a successful playing career into football management and coaching. Born in Irvine on 14 September 1986, he came through the Kilmarnock system before establishing himself as one of the more versatile Scottish attackers of his generation.
His career included important spells with Rangers and Everton, while Hearts became especially significant during the later part of his playing career and his first major managerial position. He retired from professional football in 2021 and subsequently concentrated on coaching and player development.
The Scottish Football Association has continued to involve him in national-team development. In August 2026, the association confirmed Naismith as part of the Scotland Under-21 coaching team, working alongside Tony Docherty. His responsibilities also include player mentorship, talent identification and the Club Growth Programme.
Early Life and Football Career
Naismith began his senior career at Kilmarnock after progressing through the club’s youth system. His performances quickly attracted attention, particularly because of his attacking instincts and ability to operate in different positions.
During his time at Kilmarnock, he developed into an effective goalscorer and earned recognition as a promising young Scottish player. His performances eventually resulted in a move to Rangers in 2007.
The early stages of his career established many of the characteristics that would remain important throughout his football journey: movement, versatility, determination and the ability to contribute both as a scorer and creator.
Steven Naismith Rangers Career
The Steven Naismith Rangers chapter was one of the most successful periods of his playing career. He joined Rangers in 2007 and spent five seasons with the Glasgow club.
At Rangers, he competed for domestic honours and gained valuable European experience. Soccerbase records 72 league appearances and 28 league goals for the club, alongside appearances in cup and other competitions.
His Rangers career also ended prematurely because of a serious knee injury suffered in 2012. Despite that setback, his performances had already established him as an important Scottish attacking player.
The Rangers period also helped prepare him for his next challenge: English football.
Everton and Norwich City
In 2012, Naismith moved to Everton. The transfer gave him the opportunity to compete in the Premier League and work within a different footballing environment.
At Everton, he was valued partly because of his flexibility. Rather than being restricted to one position, he could operate centrally or from wider attacking areas. Soccerbase records 52 league appearances and 18 league goals for Everton, with additional cup appearances and goals.
He later joined Norwich City in January 2016. His time at Norwich included both Premier League and Championship football. Soccerbase records 33 league appearances and six league goals during his Norwich spell.
Although injuries affected parts of his later playing career, the experience of playing in England added another important chapter to his development.
Steven Naismith Hearts Career
Steven Naismith Hearts is an especially important search topic because of his long association with the Edinburgh club.
He initially joined Hearts on loan from Norwich City in January 2018. He returned for another loan spell during the 2018–19 season before making the move permanent in 2019. Soccerbase records three separate Hearts spells, including his two loan periods and permanent stay.
He became a popular and experienced figure at Tynecastle and helped Hearts during an important period of transition. His playing career ended in 2021, after which the club became the starting point for his coaching career.
Rather than immediately leaving football, he moved into player development and coaching, eventually taking charge of the Hearts B team.
From Player to Hearts Manager
The transition from footballer to coach was gradual. Naismith gained experience within the Hearts structure and developed his coaching credentials before being promoted to first-team responsibilities in April 2023.
He initially took over as interim manager and subsequently became the permanent head coach. Hearts confirmed his appointment after he impressed during his interim period.
His 2023–24 season ended with Hearts finishing third in the Scottish Premiership, securing European football. However, the following campaign started badly, and the club eventually decided to part company with Naismith and his coaching staff on 22 September 2024. Hearts officially confirmed the decision after a difficult opening period.
This means that references describing him as the current Hearts manager are outdated.
Steven Naismith Position
During his playing days, the Steven Naismith position was primarily in attack. He was officially regarded as a forward, although his versatility allowed him to operate in several areas.
He could play as a striker, second striker, wide attacker or attacking midfielder. This flexibility became one of the defining features of his career.
His ability to change position also made him useful to Scotland and the different clubs he represented. Rather than relying exclusively on physical attributes, his game involved movement, anticipation and an understanding of attacking spaces.
Scotland International Career
Naismith represented Scotland at senior level for more than a decade. He made his senior debut in 2007 against the Faroe Islands and eventually accumulated 51 international appearances and 10 goals.
His first Scotland goal came against Spain during a Euro 2012 qualifying match. The Scottish FA has documented his development from a young international into an established senior player.
International football also strengthened his reputation as a dependable and adaptable forward. His experience with Scotland later became useful when he moved into coaching.
Steven Naismith Stats
The Steven Naismith stats vary slightly between databases because some sources count competitions differently. Soccerbase provides a useful breakdown of his league career.
| Club | League appearances | League goals |
|---|---|---|
| Kilmarnock | 87 | 29 |
| Rangers | 72 | 28 |
| Everton | 52 | 18 |
| Norwich City | 33 | 6 |
| Hearts | 56 | 24 |
Across his career, he accumulated substantial experience in Scottish and English football, while also adding domestic cup and European appearances.
Steven Naismith Age and Personal Life
Steven Naismith age is 40 as of September 2026. He was born on 14 September 1986 in Irvine, Scotland.
Away from football, he has generally maintained a relatively private family life. His wife is Moya Naismith, whom he married in 2013. His father is identified as David Naismith.
The family side of his life has received considerably less public attention than his football career, and reliable public information about his private life remains limited.
Steven Naismith Net Worth
The exact Steven Naismith net worth has not been publicly confirmed through an official financial disclosure. Like many former professional footballers, he earned income through playing contracts during a career that included Premier League football and major Scottish clubs.
Online websites sometimes publish estimated figures, but these should be treated cautiously because they are not audited financial statements. A precise net-worth figure therefore cannot be presented as confirmed fact.
His financial profile is better understood through the length and level of his playing career rather than unsupported internet estimates.
What Is Steven Naismith Doing Now?
Naismith’s career has continued beyond club management. In August 2026, the Scottish FA confirmed that Tony Docherty would lead Scotland Under-21s with Naismith supporting him.
The role goes beyond match-day coaching. According to the Scottish FA, Naismith will contribute to player mentorship, talent identification and the Club Growth Programme. This represents a continuation of his move from professional player into coaching and player development.
The appointment also reflects his growing experience within Scottish football. His career now combines the knowledge gained as a player with the coaching experience he developed at Hearts.
Final Thoughts on Steven Naismith
Steven Naismith’s story stretches from youth football in Ayrshire to Rangers, the Premier League, Scotland’s national team and the Hearts dugout. His career as a player ended in 2021, but his involvement in football continued through coaching and development. While his time as Hearts head coach ended in 2024, his work with Scotland’s Under-21 setup in 2026 gives him a new opportunity to contribute to the development of future Scottish players. For readers of Insider Newz, his journey is an example of how a long playing career can evolve into a second career in coaching and football development.
