Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Kal Alexander Naismith [1] | ||
Date of birth | 18 February 1992 | ||
Place of birth | Glasgow, Scotland | ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) [2] | ||
Position(s) | Utility player - (left-back / right-back) | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Bristol City | ||
Number | 4 | ||
Youth career | |||
Rangers | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2011–2013 | Rangers | 17 | (1) |
2011 | → Cowdenbeath (loan) | 9 | (2) |
2012 | → Partick Thistle (loan) | 8 | (0) |
2013–2015 | Accrington Stanley | 73 | (14) |
2015–2018 | Portsmouth | 82 | (18) |
2015–2016 | → Hartlepool United (loan) | 4 | (0) |
2018–2021 | Wigan Athletic | 79 | (6) |
2021–2022 | Luton Town | 64 | (3) |
2022– | Bristol City | 35 | (1) |
International career‡ | |||
2007–2008 | Scotland U16 | 4 | (1) |
2008–2009 | Scotland U17 | 8 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:54, 14 October 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 31 January 2012 |
Kal Alexander Naismith (born 18 February 1992) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays a versatile role for EFL Championship club Bristol City.
A Rangers youth graduate, Naismith made his breakthrough into the first team in the 2012–13 season, after loan spells at Cowdenbeath and Partick Thistle. He has represented Scotland at under-16 and under-17 level. He can play as an out and out striker, as a winger, in midfield, and in defence as a left back or centre back. His main attributes are his ball control and versatility.
Naismith was sent on loan to Cowdenbeath and Partick Thistle during the 2011–12 season. On his return from loan Naismith made his debut as a substitute on 29 July 2012, in a 2–1 win over Brechin City in the Challenge Cup. [3]
He scored his first goal for Rangers against Forres Mechanics in the Second Round of the 2012 Scottish Cup. On 9 August 2013 he mutually agreed with Rangers to terminate his contract. [4]
Naismith joined Scottish Second Division club Cowdenbeath on loan at the end of August 2011. He made his debut on 10 September against East Fife, [5] going on to score his first goals for the club on 24 September scoring both goals in their 2–1 win over Albion Rovers. [6] With matches limited due to call offs, [7] his last game came on 10 December against Arbroath. [8]
On 5 January 2012 Naismith joined Scottish First Division club Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season, [9] however was unable to play against Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup that weekend as he was cup tied [10] having played for Cowdenbeath earlier in the season. [11] He made his debut on 13 January playing from the start in their 1–0 defeat to Hamilton Academical. [12]
In the 2013 summer, Naismith was given a trial at Accrington Stanley, completing a switch to them on a free transfer shortly after. [13] He made his debut for the club on 10 August, starting in a 2–2 home draw against Portsmouth.
Naismith scored his first goal for Stanley on 22 October 2013, netting the winner in a 2–1 home success over Bristol Rovers. He also scored braces against Torquay United and Mansfield Town, finishing the season with ten goals in 38 appearances.
Naismith was also an undisputed starter for the club in 2014–15, scoring four goals in 35 games.
On 28 May 2015, Naismith signed a three-year deal with fellow League Two side Portsmouth, for an undisclosed fee. [14]
Naismith scored 13 goals in the season which saw Portsmouth finish as champions of League Two, clinched on the last day of the season.
At the end of the 2017–18 season, Portsmouth announced that he had rejected a new deal from the club, deciding to pursue other options elsewhere. [15] [16]
On 30 May 2018, Naismith signed a three-year deal with Championship club Wigan Athletic. He scored his first goal for Wigan in a 4–2 loss at Sheffield United on 27 October 2018. [17] On 7 January 2021, Naismith left Wigan by mutual consent. [18]
On 15 January 2021, Naismith signed for Championship side Luton Town on a permanent deal. [19] He scored his first goal for Luton on 27 February 2021 in a 3–2 win against Sheffield Wednesday. [20] On 15 January 2022, he scored a last minute goal in a 3–2 win over Bournemouth. [21] Despite being offered a new contract with Luton Town, [22] Naismith left the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.
On 27 May 2022, Naismith signed a three-year deal with Championship side Bristol City on a free transfer. [23] He scored his first goal for Bristol City in an EFL Cup win over Coventry City on 10 August 2022. [24]
Naismith is known for his versatility being able to play in centeral defence and defensive midfield known for his exquisite passing range.
Naismith has represented Scotland at under-16 level, [25] making his debut against Wales on 5 October 2007. [26] His first goal came on 29 November against England. [27] He later represented the under-17 team, making eight appearances. [28]
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Rangers | 2011–12 [29] | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012–13 [30] | Scottish Third Division | 17 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 [lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 24 | 3 | |
Total | 17 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 3 | ||
Cowdenbeath (loan) | 2011–12 [30] | Scottish Second Division | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
Partick Thistle (loan) | 2011–12 [29] | Scottish First Division | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
Accrington Stanley | 2013–14 [31] | League Two | 38 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 10 |
2014–15 [32] | League Two | 35 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 [lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 39 | 4 | |
Total | 73 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 79 | 14 | ||
Portsmouth | 2015–16 [33] | League Two | 19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 [lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 22 | 3 |
2016–17 [34] | League Two | 37 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 [lower-alpha 4] | 1 | 41 | 15 | |
2017–18 [35] | League One | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 [lower-alpha 4] | 1 | 31 | 3 | |
Total | 82 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 94 | 21 | ||
Hartlepool United (loan) | 2015–16 [33] | League Two | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Wigan Athletic | 2018–19 [36] | Championship | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
2019–20 [37] | Championship | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 3 | |
2020–21 [38] | League One | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 [lower-alpha 4] | 1 | 14 | 3 | |
Total | 79 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 84 | 7 | ||
Luton Town | 2020–21 [39] | Championship | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 |
2021–22 [40] | Championship | 42 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 46 | 3 | |
Total | 64 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 69 | 4 | ||
Bristol City | 2022–23 [41] | Championship | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
Career Total | 353 | 44 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 3 | 391 | 52 |
On 20 September 2010, Naismith and fellow Rangers player Kyle Hutton were abducted in Edinburgh by two men and driven around the city in Hutton's car [42] before they were dumped in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh. Naismith and Hutton were then mugged as the thieves stole the car. Later, both the thieves were convicted and prosecuted, and the car was retrieved. [43]
Individual
Individual
Gary Caldwell is a Scottish former professional footballer and coach who is the current manager of Exeter City. Caldwell played for Newcastle United, Darlington, Coventry City, Derby County, Hibernian, Celtic, Wigan Athletic and won 55 international caps for Scotland.
Joseph Cardle is an English footballer. Cardle tends to be played as a winger but can play on either side.
Kallum Michael Higginbotham is an English footballer who plays as a winger for Tranent in the Lowland League.
Liam Buchanan is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Lowland Football League club Berwick Rangers.
Kyle Hutton is a professional Scottish association footballer who plays as a midfielder for Pollok. As of November 2023, Hutton is on loan at Darvel F.C. for the reminder of the 2023/24 season.
Conrad Balatoni is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Civil Service Strollers. He started his career in the youth teams of Heart of Midlothian. Having failed to break into the Hearts first team, Balatoni joined Partick Thistle in 2012 after spending two loan spells there.
Christie James Elliott is an English former professional footballer. Having previously played for English lower league sides Jarrow and Whitley Bay, Elliott signed a two-year deal with then Scottish First Division side Partick Thistle. He was loaned in 2012 to Scottish Second Division side Albion Rovers before returning to Firhill in January 2013. After a stint with Carlisle United after a lengthy term with Partick, he returned to Scotland with Dundee. Having started his career as a striker, he primarily played as a defender for most of it, playing the majority of games at right-back and providing the occasional cover at left-back. Christie announced his retirement from professional football at age 31 on 16 August 2022 after leaving Dundee in the summer.
Stuart Bannigan is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle. A product of the club's youth setup, Bannigan played his first professional season on loan at the then Scottish Second Division side Ayr United. He also played for the Scotland U21 team.
Steven Lawless is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-sided winger, and is in his second spell with Partick Thistle.
Greig Spence is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Stirling Albion.
Stephen Gerard O'Donnell is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Motherwell and the Scotland national team. He has previously played for Partick Thistle, Luton Town and Kilmarnock, and was capped once by the Scotland under-21 team in 2012 before being selected 26 times at full level from 2018, including at the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.
Sean Welsh is a Scottish footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Queen's Park in the Scottish Championship. He has previously played for Hibernian, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion, Partick Thistle, Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Aaron Muirhead is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Partick Thistle in the Scottish Championship. Muirhead has previously played for Annan Athletic, Partick Thistle and Falkirk, after progressing through Ayr United's youth academy.
Declan McDaid is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Irish club Bohemians. McDaid started his career as a youth player at Greenock Morton, before being promoted to the club's first team in April 2013. However, McDaid left the club a short time later and signed for (then) Scottish First Division side Partick Thistle in June 2013. After two successful seasons with Ayr United, he signed for Scottish Championship side Dundee in June 2019 and would enjoy promotion to the Scottish Premiership with them in 2021. He would also play for Falkirk on loan.
Daniel Mullen is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City. He has previously played for Livingston, St Mirren, Dundee and Partick Thistle.
Greg Alexander Docherty is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for EFL Championship club Hull City as a midfielder. He has previously played for Hamilton Academical, Rangers, Shrewsbury Town and Hibernian.
Blair Thomas Spittal is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Motherwell. He has previously played for Queen's Park, Dundee United, Partick Thistle and Ross County.
David Syme is a Scottish footballer currently playing as a centre-back for Darvel.
Kevin Michael Nisbet is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for EFL Championship club Millwall and the Scotland national team. He has previously played for Partick Thistle, Raith Rovers, Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian, as well as East Stirlingshire, Ayr United and Dumbarton on loan.
Zak Andrew Rudden is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Raith Rovers, on loan from Dundee.