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STEVEN NAISMITH says he’d quit Everton rather than jeopardise his Scotland prospects by spending the season on the bench at Goodison.

He has only featured as a late substitute in the first two games of the Premier League season as teen sensation Ross Barkley has earned his starting spot.

That’s not giving the 28-year-old too much cause for concern at the moment but he admits long-term he needs to be featuring regularly for his club to protect his status as a first pick for an equally competitive Scotland squad.

And that is an honour too precious to risk jeopardising by being satisfied with a supersub role on Merseyside. Naismith said: “Without doubt I understand not starting for your club has an impact on the national team.

“I suffered from that when the manager first came in as he decided to play others who were getting a regular game for their clubs and I had to bide my time.

“This early in the season you’ve played enough pre-season games and training is that intense still that I don’t think that would matter in terms of my fitness over the next couple of months.

“But the longer it goes in the season then you need to think about your situation because that Scotland place will be in jeopardy if you’re not playing.

“That’s something I would be devastated to lose and would never jeopardise. I feel my performances for the squad in this campaign have been very good and the most consistent yet in my Scotland career so I definitely want to stay part of that.

“I love it from the minute we meet up, the laugh we have every day in training and even the travelling part of it – meeting fans in the airport and hearing the stories, I just enjoy every minute of it. And what tops it off is after the game when you’ve had a good result and you’re buzzing, looking forward to the next one knowing you’ve got a real chance here.

“It does give you a bit of comfort seeing how the manager stood by Alan Hutton and kept picking him when he wasn’t playing for Aston Villa. But that’s just an example of why the most important thing is showing the manager what you can do in training.

“He has been around the block, he understands players and picks up vibes from the way you’re training and your demeanour. So as long as you show you’re sharp enough and your performance is still at the highest level then you’re still in contention to be picked.”

Naismith’s first priority is to muscle his way back into Roberto Martinez’s first 11 at Goodison and his record of scoring against the biggest teams at club and international level should stand him in good stead ahead of Sunday’s home clash against a Manchester City side in red-hot form.

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

He said: “These are tough games but we’ve enjoyed some good success against the top teams and hopefully Sunday is the same.

“I want to play as much as I can for Everton first and foremost because that’s your day-to-day work and that’s what will bring you more success in other areas, like international recognition which means so much to me.”

Another thing that means a great deal to Naismith is giving something back to the community through charitable work.

He has previously devoted his time to helping the homeless in Liverpool and Glasgow.

Yesterday he was in Toxteth, one of Liverpool’s most deprived areas, to publicise another terrific gesture he hopes will give some cheer to some of the city’s residents struggling to find work.

For the second year running, Naismith is digging into his own pocket to buy tickets for Everton’s home games throughout the season for unemployed football fans who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to see the team.

(Image: Steve Welsh)

It’s another example of one millionaire footballer who never forgot his roots, steeped in a working-class background in Stewarton where his dad David’s job as a social worker opened his eyes at an early age to appreciate the plight of others.

He said: “My dad’s job definitely had an influence on me. When I was a kid during the summer holidays there would be a gathering with the residential school we worked in where they’d go away on camping trips and I would tag along.

“Now I’m in a position where I can give something back. I feel an obligation, a duty to help where I can.

“It’s about what it does for them and if it makes a positive difference that’s all I care about. Seeing what it means to them is what means the most to me.”