STEVEN Naismith has revealed that there was never any concrete interest from Rangers in bringing him back to Ibrox. 

The Norwich City forward was linked with a return to the Gers during the January transfer window before eventually penning a six-month loan deal with Hearts.

Naismith spent five seasons with the Light Blues between 2007 and 2012, but told BBC Sportsound that his former club never made a concerted effort to bring him back last month. 

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"Clubs will say, 'yes we are interested, but it is maybe not something we want to do straightaway, we need to wait and see'”, he said.

"I would probably put it in that bracket. But nothing ever came of it. When Hearts came in, they showed their hand and said to Norwich, 'this is what we want to do, this is what we can offer'.

"They wanted to hear back, with some deadlines, so I had some decisions to make. At that moment, I thought Hearts was definitely the best opportunity for me. Since I have been there, it has been fantastic."

Naismith has also backed former Scotland and Rangers mentor Walter Smith to take charge of the national team for a second time.

The 31-year-old believes the 69-year-old would be a good option to succeed Gordon Strachan in the role, despite being retired for the last seven years.

"Walter is the safest of the names bandied about," said Naismith.

"From personal experience, he is a fantastic man-manager, probably the best I have ever worked with in that regard.

"I have not heard many players saying anything bad about him, even if they were not playing. They respect him. He is the type of manager who, when he walks into a room, he has got that presence.

"He has been there and done it, he knows what it is about. If he is in the running, I think it would be a good choice for the SFA."