FORMER Rangers star Steven Naismith paid tribute to the country's armed servicemen at an event in Glasgow.

The Everton striker also gave thanks to the city firms who help injured veterans get back into civilian life by providing them with jobs, in support of the charity Helping Heroes.

Steven helped set up an initiative with construction firm City Building and Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft industries, to devise a new initiative for getting injured soldiers back into employment.

Those firms were honoured yesterday at an event held at City Building's headquarters.

Helping Heroes, funded by Glasgow City Council, has aided more than 13,000 veterans since it was set up in 2010, offering support, counselling and advice on benefits.

Steven said: "There are people who risk their lives so that the rest of us can sleep soundly in our beds.

"They have risked and given so much for others, I feel strongly that it is our turn to give back in recognition and support.

"I appreciate words are cheap and easy and that is why I have a deep and genuine admiration for City Building, RSBi, and the GHA, for working with Glasgow's Helping Heroes and [reservists organisa-tion] SaBRE in creating real jobs, training, housing and social and economic opportunities for men and women who deserve our eternal respect, support and appreciation."

"I feel strongly that it is our turn to give back in recognition and support."

City Building and RSBi also work closely with GHA to provide furnished accommodation for veterans.

Barry Henderson, service manager at Helping Heroes, says the charity is keen to offer support to even more veterans.

He said: "We have taken 13,000 referrals since 2010 but we know there are 400,000 veterans in Scotland so that is around one in eight, if you consider all the family members affected. In Glasgow alone, there are between 40,000 to 60,000 veterans.

"The vast majority ex-servicemen and women will make the transition to civilian life well but others need additional support to adjust and that's why we are here."

Steven became involved with the charity after receiving a letter from a front-line soldier serving in Afghanistan in December 2011. The then Rangers star was feeling down after being sidelined for nine months with cruciate damage sustained at Aberdeen, when he received the letter from Black Watch serviceman Mark Charles Scott.

Scott praised Naismith's displays for Rangers and said he was "gutted" to hear of his injury, before telling the Ibrox star he was sure he had "the courage in his character" to get back to full fitness and form.

The letter proved the catalyst for Naismith to set up the employment initiative.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk