---
title: "Naismith considered Goodison exit"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/naismith-considered-goodison-exit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Rhodri Cannon"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2015-09-14T13:18:23Z"
modified: "2015-09-14T13:18:23Z"
---

# Naismith considered Goodison exit

Hat-trick hero Steven Naismith did think about leaving Goodison Park in the transfer window after losing his place in the Everton side, [according to the Daily Mail.](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3233132/Steven-Naismith-wanted-Everton-deadline-day-8m-Norwich-bid-rejected.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490)

Everton rejected a bid of £8million from Norwich City for Naismith on transfer deadline-day and reaped the rewards of that decision, as the 29-year-old scored a perfect hat-trick (kind of) against Chelsea.

Naismith was introduced as an eighth-minute substitute against the Champions on Saturday and fully justified Roberto Martinez’s decision to bring him on over the likes of Kevin Mirallas, Gerard Deulofeu and Aaron Lennon.

But the former Rangers forward hasn’t started in the Premier League this season, and this has lead to him thinking of departing Merseyside:

*‘When you are not playing every week it is hard to look past these opportunities (to leave the club).*

*‘But it was out of my hands because the manager said he didn’t want me to leave.*

*‘That was nice in a way but when you’re not playing it is hard to take.*

*‘Things can change so quickly in football, though. Hopefully I’ve shown my worth to the team.*

*At my age, you do wonder how long it is going to be before you are playing regularly again. I was still coming on in games with a good bit of time to play, so that gave me hope that I could still be here at Everton.*

*‘When the manager said it wasn’t going to happen, I knew then I had to work hard and be ready for a day like this against Chelsea. The manager said he saw me as a valuable part of the squad and wanted to keep me. Everyone has a role to play.’*

It was actually Naismith’s second hat-trick in an Everton shirt as he scored three in Tony Hibbert’s testimonial against AEK Athens in the summer of 2012, but you could argue that his treble against the Londoners was slightly more impressive.

Naismith, who actually had a trial at Arsenal when he was a youngster, has scored 26 goals in 116 games (63 starts, 53 substitute appearances) since joining Everton in 2012, and will be hoping to add to his tally against Swansea on Saturday.

The former Kilmarnock forward has three years left on his deal with the Toffeemen.