Scotland v Serbia: David Weir’s way is Steven Naismith starting

David Weir, the former Scotland stalwart, believes Everton player Steven Naismith will be pivotal if Craig Levein’s side are to make an auspicious start to World Cup qualifying against Serbia.

The 25-year-old has settled in seamlessly to life at Goodison Park since leaving Rangers for the Premiership side during the summer, already making four competitive appearances for the Toffees.

Weir, now a coach at Everton, has been impressed by the player’s impact south of the Border, and has backed the former Rangers and Kilmarnock man to take his form on to the international stage.

He said: “He has fitted in straight away. He has come into the club and hit the ground running, scoring a hat-trick in pre-season against AEK Athens, and he has been in the team ever since. Everybody is hugely happy with him.

“I would certainly start him on Saturday, although, of course, the manager picks the team. I don’t think Steven has ever struggled for confidence, and by coming to Everton he has shown his quality.”

As one of Craig Levein’s most potent attacking weapons, Naismith is expected to add to his 16 caps at the weekend against Serbia before facing Macedonia three days later.

And Weir believes the Irvine-born forward, who netted against World and European champions Spain at Hampden in 2010, has already shown he is the man for the big occasion.

He added: “I think we all know the quality he has got, 
and some of his international performances have been top class, playing well against the likes of the Netherlands and Spain.

“Sometimes, being Scottish, we talk ourselves down and talk everyone else up, but we have good players in Scotland, and we always have done.”