Gary Naysmith: Move south broke my Heart

THE former Hearts star admitted he'd been keen to extend his stay at Tynecastle, but the club forced through a move to Everton.

A MOVE from the SPL to the glamour of the Premiership should be every footballer’s dream but for Gary Naysmith the switch south left a sour taste in his mouth.

The Aberdeen star was 20 when he was forced out of Tynecastle 12 years ago after the cash-strapped Jambos accepted a £1.7million offer from Everton.

Naysmith insists he would have preferred to stay with Hearts although he went on to spend seven great years with the Toffees.

He has never faced his first love in any competition and will finally get the game he’s been looking forward to for months today at Pittodrie.

Naysmith, 33, said: “This was one of the fixtures that appealed to me when I signed for Aberdeen.

“I had a great time at Hearts under Jim Jefferies and a brilliant relationship with the fans so for this game to come round nice and early is good for me.

“I think the Hearts fans realised I left because the club made the decision to sell me. I wanted to extend my contract but the board needed the cash.

“But I joined a great club in Everton and Hearts got good money for me so it worked out well.”

Taken from the Daily Record