IN THEIR OWN WORDS

WITH Scotland striker and ex-Rangers man Steven Naismith set to face Irish full-back Seamus Coleman tomorrow, the Everton team-mates were full of praise for each other ahead of their sides’ Group D clash. But, with both vying for their country’s Euro 2016 qualification hopes, it’s clear the Goodison Park allies will pull no punches during the Parkhead face-off when Scotland take on the Republic of Ireland.

COLEMAN ON NAISMITH

I would take him down, no doubt about it, as long as I get the ball. It’s a strange one as I’m close to him but I’m quite a serious person, and I’ll switch off building up to the game and so will he. It will be an interesting game and one I’m really looking forward to. Steven and I had a good laugh when the draw brought us together. He’s a great lad and was tremendous last season for Everton. We’ve had plenty of banter about the game. He is a player that we’ll really have to watch and we won’t be shy in giving each other a kick, I’m sure. Steven is fantastic, he’s one of the hardest workers at the club since coming back from a long-term injury. He played on the right side of midfield before, where he was effective, but the manager has been playing him more off the front now. It gives him a real licence to attack, plus he can find space easily and often pops up with goals. He’s also much more consistent now.

NAISMITH ON COLEMAN

For me, he’s the best right-back in Europe. He’s probably the most down-to-earth guy I’ve ever met in football and it’s great to see how he’s just going to be a superstar. Nothing fazes him. He just goes about his business. He does everything exactly the same as when he was back in Sligo. That’s a fantastic quality to have. He gets everything he deserves because he is such a fantastic player and is so humble and works very hard to get where he is. Darron Gibson shouldn’t be underestimated either. They’re definitely quality players and they are going to be a threat.