Steven Naismith sets Hearts stars Euro 2024 target as he looks to reap the rewards at Tynecastle

Steven Naismith was delighted to see Scotland seal their spot at Euro 2024 – and reckons it’ll be great news for Hearts.

The Tynecastle boss was thrilled to see Zander Clark finally make his international debut in Tuesday’s friendly defeat to France. And he knows Craig Gordon will have set his sights on completing his comeback in time to make next summer’s continental get-together.

Lawrence Shankland was also gutted to have been left out of Steve Clarke’s latest squad after picking up his fifth cap against Spain back in March. So, with the Tartan Army now on their way to Euros, Naisy reckons there is plenty to motivate his Scotland trio when they pull on the maroon of Hearts. Naismith said: “Zander and Liam Kelly, they’ve done the hard yards. It’s a cliche to say it’s a privilege but it’s taxing on you to go away and not get a cap, camp after camp. Summer camps are eating into your summer holidays and personal time with the family.

“So for both to get their reward by making their debut is brilliant. Not only just their interviews about how proud they are, but the rest of the squad and how they’ve spoken about them, both shows they are valuable to the group. It is not just about the guys who get on the pitch. I’m delighted for them.

“Qualification also gives them all a target for the summer. They can all try as hard as they can, to do as best as they can, to be in that squad. For Craigy [Gordon] coming back from injury, Zander wants to be in that squad, Shanks missed out on the last Euro group. It helps massively. If you’re not willing to fight to be in a Euro squad; as much as it’s two in two qualifications, they are hard to come by.

“I grew up watching them and never had a chance to go in my whole career, then it’s been