THEY say you should never go back, particularly to a place you didn’t exactly leave on the best of terms. But you sense that a part of former Rangers attacker Steven Naismith never really left Ibrox, as he explained yesterday that a move back to the team he supports appeals to him, and that he would still have a lot to offer his old club if they made a move for him.

Naismith has been a bit-part player at current club Norwich City this season, making just three top-team appearances in a campaign disrupted by injury. Now back fighting fit though, Naismith says he feels better than ever, and that he would love to come back to play in Scotland.

The 31-year-old still has a year-and-a-half left on the lucrative deal he signed at Carrow Road after joining from Everton for £11 million almost two years ago, but he admitted that first-team football is now his main priority when asked if a move back to Rangers would appeal.

“I think it would,” said Naismith. “I’ve spoken in the past about Kilmarnock and Rangers and being appreciative for what they did for me as a player. I would look at those clubs and see if they were options to start with.

“I wouldn’t say [I had] unfinished business [at Rangers], because we were successful and won a lot of trophies.

“The way I left wasn’t great. I still watch all the games on TV, still speak to all the players and staff I know at the club. I love hearing how things are going. I still support Rangers and I want them to do well.

“Moving forward, coming back to Scotland there would be clubs I’d prefer to play with rather than just coming back and picking and choosing whoever. Fortunately, when I come back to Scotland, it’s not going to be about finances. It’ll be about what I think is the right fit for me. That’ll be the main thing.”

Naismith does have a link to current Rangers interim manager Graeme Murty, with the pair working together at Norwich before Murty made the switch north.

While having great respect for his former colleague as a coach, and lauding the job he is doing in trying circumstances, he thinks that it is important for the Rangers board to take their time and make sure they get their next permanent managerial appointment spot on, whether that means Murty taking charge or someone else.

“It’s hard for Murts,” he said. “He was at Norwich before, so I’ve had some dealings with Murts, and he is a great coach. It’s a very difficult situation for him.

“He’s done great in terms of dealing with it all, and it’s hard for everyone involved.

“I think they need to make the right appointment, and when that time is right, they will make it. That’s all they can do, it’s not for me to say he should get it until the end of the season.

“The club just needs to move forward, and whatever way forward that is, whether it’s with him in charge or if they find a suitable candidate to take over.”

l Steven was speaking as he backed Loaves & Fishes, a charity working in Glasgow, North and South Lanarkshire to provide meals, food parcels, clothes and toiletries for those in need.

For more information, or to volunteer, please visit www.loavesandfishes.org.uk.