Jason Naismith: ‘If Hibs played in Qatar I’d sign for them – the fans are that good’

Defender has not given up hope of Easter Road return

Jason Naismith celebrates making it 2-0 to Hibs during the Ladbrokes Premiership match against Kilmarnock at Easter Road on November 30, 2019. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Jason Naismith says he has not given up hope on sealing a permanent move to Hibs despite ending his loan spell without a deal in place.

The Easter Road club announced on Monday that Naismith, along with fellow loanees Greg Docherty, Marc McNulty, and Stephane Omeonga, had returned to their parent clubs following the conclusion of the season.

The Peterborough United right-back joined Hibs on a season-long loan deal last summer, and became a first-team regular under Jack Ross, making 14 appereances, until suffering a serious knee injury against Dundee United in January.

That setback, coupled with the impact of coronavirus, has left Naismith facing an uncertain summer, with the English League One side keen to offload the 25-year-old despite still having a year left on his contract.

However, the former St Mirren and Ross County player admitted he would be keen to return to Easter Road after falling in love with the club - and their supporters - during his loan spell.

"I wouldn't mind it!" he told the Evening News. "I made my feelings clear when I first joined Hibs. It's a fantastic club and the fans have taken to me.

"Their support has been brilliant throughout the season, especially while I've been injured. Some of the messages you get, it lifts your spirits and motivates you.

“Even the people around the club and the way they've handled it, from the physio through to the management, to Graeme Mathie and Leeann Dempster, they couldn't have helped me more.

"I'm grateful for that and if Hibs came calling it would be a no-brainer. It would be nice to go back there, and it's something I would seriously consider."

Naismith admits he has been left unsure whether Hibs want to retain him or not, but he is appreciative and understanding of the current position the club, and football in general, finds itself in.

"There's obviously a world pandemic right now so it's hard for anybody to do any business in the short-term. How it plays out in the next couple of months, and when we hopefully get some normality back, and can find out when the season is starting, maybe that will change the dynamic of things and the club will have the finances to go and get players," he said.

"There's a lot to be played out in the next couple of months, but at the moment it's hard to say either way."

One thing that is certain for Naismith is his position at his parent club, with a move away from Peterborough his preferred choice.

"I think they would know my intentions if Hibs did come calling but we'll see what happens," he said.

"At the end of the day I'm still a Peterborough player and I'd give my all for them every day in training, I wouldn't let myself down like that. I train every day to the best of my ability.

"We'll see what happens and if a deal could be stuck (with Hibs) then it's something that would seriously interest me."

Naismith also revealed that he would be happy to remain in England should another club show interest with a move back to Scotland not the be-all-and-end-all for the Paisley-born defender.

"My first year in League One I played 50 games and performed well, especially in the second half of the season and it's something that still interests me if there's an opportunity in England," he said.

"You don't really get many clubs like Hibs though, and if they are interested then that would obviously be the number one priority.

"The geographical thing doesn't really come into it for me. If Hibs played in Qatar I'd probably sign for them with that fan base.

"It's obviously all up in the air, but if a decent club in England comes in, and if I'm going to leave Peterborough, then it's something I would need to consider."