STEVEN Naismith admitted he was desperate to make his mark under Alex McLeish – because he knew he might not have got a second chance to make a first impression. Despite his fine early season form for league leaders Hearts, the 31-year-old was left out of the original squad and only called up after the withdrawal of Swansea City striker Oliver McBurnie. Preferred to Leigh Griffiths, he duly rewarded his manager with his eighth international goal in his 47 appearances and saw another given as a Berat Xhimshiti own goal as McLeish got a win on his competitive debut. His chances of reaching a half century of caps now burn brighter than ever.


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