Ex-Rangers star hails Hearts move as ‘best’ of his career as EFL boss says door is open for ex-Hibs hero

Antti Niemi has reflected fondly on his time with Hearts | Getty Images

Former Rangers and Southampton goalkeeper Antti Niemi has described his decision to join Hearts as the best ‘move’ of his career.

The 67-time Finland international moved to the capital from Rangers in 1999 after a two-year stay which largely saw him play second fiddle to Andy Goram and Stefan Klos at Ibrox.

Niemi had a solid reputation from his time at FC Copenhagen but it was the move to Edinburgh that really allowed him to establish himself as his country's top goalkeeper at international level.

Reflecting on the move, Niemi, who now works as assistant coach of Greek side Volos F.C, explained to Football Scotland: "My daughter was born in Glasgow in 1999 so I always said if I had to live in another country, then Scotland would be my place"

"I love the Scottish people, the sense of humour and the football is great so very warm memories overall.

"Rangers obviously, I had a taste of professional football going from Finland to Denmark which was a big step but when you step into the Ibrox dressing room and recognise Ally McCoist, Paul Gascogine, Andy Goram and Ian Ferguson - it's like wow.

"Brian Laudrup, even before I went to Rangers I was looking at him on the TV and thinking he's one of the best midfielders in Europe, and then suddenly you're in the same dressing room. But everybody was so friendly like Ally McCoist, Andy Goram - he was so nice to me. It was very easy to go there and settle in but obviously things did not work out for me at that time.

"So I took two steps back to get another step forward and looking back at my career, going from Hearts to Rangers was probably the best decision I've ever made."

 "Dick Advocaat pulled me in and said when Hearts made an offer, I obviously didn't know anything about it before the clubs reached the agreement. He pulled me in and was a dead straight guy and said: 'Antti, we had an offer. I've accepted it. If you want to go to Hearts, you can go. You are a very good goalkeeper but you'll never get a chance to prove it here.' So what choice do you have? But it was brilliant, I loved my time in Edinburgh."

Niemi made 89 league appearances for the Jambos during a steady three year period where the team consistently finished in the top five. The move propelled him on to a successful career south of the border where he remained a key figure for Southampton and Fulham.

Reflecting on his stint at Tynecastle, he recalled: We had a great dressing room filled with really good guys like Steve Fulton and Colin Cameron. The team spirit was absolutely fantastic and I felt that after being at Rangers for two-and-a-half years being second or third choice, I suddenly became a very important player for the team.

"I was one of those players that was, not carrying the team, but a senior player that was expected to do well and save points. I really enjoyed the responsibility. Obviously there are one or two games where I could have done better but if I played something like 120 games, there were a lot of games where I felt I really contributed to a result.

"I felt I played a really good part, made some good saves and can feel happy with myself. It was almost like a perfect period in my football career. That's how I feel at the moment looking back in the last 20 years. It's been more than 20 years, it's scary. Just overall, I can be really proud and if I ever go to Hearts games, I can keep my head high knowing I gave something to this club. It's a great feeling."

Millwall boss claims door is open for former Hibs ace to return

Former Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet has made a bright start to life at Aberdeen after scoring once in his first two appearances back in the Scottish Premiership.

Nisbet endured a frustrating time in South London but is now firmly focused on doing the best job he can to win his place back in the Scotland team.

The 27-year-old was pushed down the pecking order at the Den following the signing of Macaulay Langstaff, who is expected to be the team’s leading figure in attack.

However, Neil Harris is adamant that the chapter is not necessarily closed for Nisbet at the club and claims he could still return to make a mark in the Championship.

He told London News online: “The door is very much open for Kevin.

“He was an expensive acquisition by the club – because of his pedigree of scoring goals. Kevin has been a little bit stop-start with form and injuries, at times. He goes back to Scotland, and Aberdeen, in good faith and with all our support to be closer to home, his family and friends.

“Back to a league he knows, to help try to catch the eye of the national team manager, Steve Clarke.

“Ultimately we’re hoping he goes there, plays a lot of football and scores goals – gets back to full match fitness as well as a really good place, mentally and physically.

“Then the possibility to come back and team up with us again – in that positive mindframe – will be strong for all parties.

“I’m really going to keep a close eye and communication with Kev. I really hope he plays games and scores goals.”