Rangers: Steven Naismith slammed as Hearts boss doesn’t know ‘when to keep his mouth shut’
David Edgar fired back at Steven Naismith over his pre-match Rangers comments after Hearts were beaten 2-0 at Hampden Park.
The Heart & Hand presenter reacted via Twitter on 21 April to the Jam Tarts boss’ claims ahead of the game that Philippe Clement’s side had been lucky during their run of strong form, and suggestion it was not unexpected for them to have fallen away due to the Ibrox squad having historically failed to win trophies.
Cyriel Dessers scored twice as an improved performance saw Rangers qualify for the cup final against Celtic.
Naismith had previously reacted to the poor Gers form, via BBC Sport Scotland (18 April), saying: “I think it’s unexpected, surprised I’m not sure, there’s some players who’ve been there over their years and failed to win trophies…
“I think in their run of games they’ve carried a bit of luck as well at times when they’ve won. That game for instance [2-1 vs Hearts, 29 October] and a couple of others, but they’re a team that play a certain way.”
In response, following the cup victory, Edgar wrote: “Never did know when to keep his mouth shut.”
Rangers book Celtic final after Cyriel Dessers strikes against Hearts
Pointed comments ahead of a big game are always liable to come back and haunt a manager just as these ones have for Naismith.
But in his defence what he said wasn’t necessarily incorrect, even if he was going out on a limb considering his side were thrashed 5-0 at Ibrox in the previous meeting on 24 February, were beaten 3-1 at the same stage of the Viaplay Cup final on 5 November, and have never won against Rangers at Hampden in 16 attempts.
For months it looked like Clement had the magic key to unlock the best of virtually every player at Ibrox, as he produced a stunning turnaround from Michael Beale’s dismal start to secure the first trophy of the season and come roaring back into the title race.
But in dropping 10 points from 15 since the start of March to gift Celtic the title advantage while going out of the Europa League it suggested the Light Blues probably were over-performing previously, and no successful team gets by without a decent amount of luck.
A major clear out of players has been predicted for the summer as a result of the loss of form, but thanks to a much-needed victory there still remains the narrowest possibility of rescuing a now-very unlikely domestic treble.
Clement had to get a reaction from his players and for the most part he got one at Hampden after making significant changes to his line-up and dropping the likes of Connor Goldson, and the Belgian didn’t need to benefit from much luck as they qualified for the final.
In other Rangers news, a club is now counting down the days before they sign a senior Ibrox player away from Glasgow.
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