Steven Naismith reacts to Kenneth Vargas Hearts statement as ex-head coach names what he doesn’t agree with
The Costa Rican forward’s story has prompted a response from the former head coach.
In response to the Kenneth Vargas news this week, Steven Naismith has expressed his belief that Lawrence Shankland will get back to his previous level of play.
After expressing his ambition to play at a higher level in an interview while on international duty, Vargas has come out swinging after claiming that it was taken out of context. Opinions on the matter are diverse.
Naismith feels sorry for the player he oversaw at Tynecastle while serving as head coach. The former manager feels some empathy for the forward, even though he disagrees with one aspect of the Costa Rican star’s interview comments.
“I don’t think he’s been taken out of context; I think he’s been naïve,” he stated on Off the Ball. He may have conducted the interview without realising it would be redirected here. I’ve played with a number of players who have represented their countries and returned with a variety of statements.
“He’s a young player with a lot of ambition who wants to give his young son everything he can. There is no question that this is to reach the highest level. Has Kenneth performed well enough this season to warrant such a statement?
Most likely not. But he has a lot of promise. His final piece of skill in the final third in front of goal is, in my opinion, his biggest weakness right now. Therefore, I believe there is some naivete, but it has also been interpreted incorrectly.
Shankland, who is presently playing for Scotland, is another good player for Hearts. The 29-year-old, who has scored once in 18 games this season after scoring 59 goals in two seasons before, has had a difficult season.
“What he’s accomplished over the past two seasons is amazing in and of itself,” Naismith continued. We were affected since he served as our lucky charm. Right now, everything that could work against him is. It was always going to be a major struggle if you kept up that level and pace. Players experience that.
“He won’t dwell on it, which is the one thing I know about him from talking to him. He’ll return. After he scores one, he will simply begin to score again. If one were to go in off his shin and then return, I wouldn’t be shocked. It frequently occurs with goal scorers.
