Steven Naismith knows that he played a part in getting David Moyes sacked by Manchester United.
The Scottish striker was outstanding in Everton’s 2-0 victory over Moyes’ side at Goodison Park almost exactly a year ago.
Two days after his new team was comprehensively outplayed by his old team, the Scot who had been hand-picked as his successor by Sir Alex Ferguson was dismissed.
The result meant that United couldn’t qualify for the Champions League, the bare minimum expected at the world’s biggest club.
By quirk of the fixture computer, Sunday was the first anniversary of the match that proved the final straw in Moyes’ time at Old Trafford.
Naismith is a professional, and can’t afford to regret his contribution to the demise of the man who changed his career path by bringing him to England from Rangers in 2012.
All his sympathies, however, lie with his fellow Scot.
“I didn’t know until I saw it on television when the news broke,” Naismith recalled. “It took a few people by surprise.
“I felt for him, without a doubt. He is a great manager. I thought that before I signed and knew for sure after working with him at Everton.
“He still is. I think he’s shown that since when he moved to Real Sociedad.
“There seemed a lot going on at United last season. It wasn’t just a new manager coming in, it was about replacing probably the best manager ever.
“It was a big job but, given time, I think David would have been good for them.”
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