Goal Special For Naismith

Derby goal rivals auld firm strikes for Scottish star.

Scoring his first Everton goal in front of the Gwladys Street in a Merseyside derby will live long in the memory of Steven Naismith.

As a boyhood Glasgow Rangers supporter notching in the Old Firm derby was a notable pinnacle for the forward.

But he admitted Sunday's equalising strike against Liverpool was very special indeed.

He said: "I grew up a Rangers fan so scoring in an Old Firm derby was special and it’s difficult to compare but scoring in front of the Gwladys Street was great – I’ll certainly remember it.

“I’ve had that experience of derby games. It’s about who wants it more and I think we showed that we wanted it."

Naismith's first team involvement has increased over the last couple of weeks, with the Scot handed a start at Goodison on Sunday.

He hopes his performances will help earn him more time on the pitch.

“I love scoring goals," he said. "I got my fair share at Rangers so at least I’m off the mark now for Everton and I can build on it.

“When you’ve got guys like Kevin (Mirallas), Felli and Jelavic you know they’re going to put the ball in there so you’ve just got to gamble and if you don’t get in there you’re never going to score. 

"For me this first period is about settling in and getting used to the training as well as coming back from injury. I never came expecting to play every week but I work hard every day to get back to where I was before and this was just another step towards that.”

Despite registering his first Everton goal the summer recruit admitted the final scoreline wasn't entirely satisfactory.

He said: “We’re probably sitting there a wee bit disappointed with a 2-2 draw because we did so well in the second half of the first half. We were looking to win it, not draw, but the fight back shows the character in the squad."