"Bright future" - Pundit backs Millwall to appoint Hearts boss Steven Naismith | OneFootball

Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer thinks Hearts manager Steven Naismith would be a very good appointment for Millwall, should they decide to pursue the Scotsman.

The Lions have just re-appointed former manager Neil Harris as they bid to beat the drop and remain in the Championship.

Harris started his second stint at Millwall very well, as the club won his first two games back in charge.

However, that hasn’t stopped the Championship club looking at the long-term, with it being reported by Football Insider, that Naismith is being looked at by Millwall among other Championship clubs.

This is the former Scotland international’s first full season in the managerial dugout, and he has overseen two shock wins over Celtic in this campaign already.

Now, according to this report, Naismith is being looked at by Millwall, who could be thinking of already replacing Harris, despite him signing a contract until 2025.

Here at Football League World, we asked former Sheffield Wednesday player Carlton Palmer for his thoughts on Millwall being linked with Hearts manager Steven Naismith, as a potential long-term replacement for Neil Harris and if he would be a good appointment.

Palmer exclusively told Football League World: “It’s reported that Hearts manager Steven Naismith is being linked with the Millwall job.

“Millwall have recently re-appointed Neil Harris because they were in a dire situation, but have now won two of his first three games, and they are gradually creeping away from the relegation zone.

“They are still in 18th place on 40 points and Blackburn Rovers are on 40 and then there are three teams below them on 39 and 38 points, so there is still a long way to go.

“But I think the appointment of Neil Harris was more of a short-term measure to get them out of the situation that they are in. They are looking at Naismith and may well appoint him in the summer. He is doing a fantastic job at Hearts, and he is seen, at the age of 37, as a manager with a bright future in the game.

“Yeah, of course, when you have moved on from Neil Harris because you felt you needed something different, you then have brought him back in because he knows the club, he knows the DNA of the football club to get you out of the situation.

“But he is not the long-term future of the club and Steven Naismith has a promising career as a football manager ahead of him, so yes, this would be a very good appointment in the future for Millwall, should they decide to do it.”

The 2023/24 Championship season has been a struggle for Millwall compared to previous campaigns.

Under Gary Rowett, the club had emerged as a top-half side that was even pushing for a play-off finish.

But this season has been anything but that, as the majority of the campaign has been spent in the bottom half of the table.

The London side is now onto their third manager of the season, and they will hope the arrival of Harris can help them steer clear of the relegation zone.

Millwall are currently in 18th place on 40 points, just two clear of 22nd place Stoke City, with several teams involved in the relegation fight.

The Lions are back in action this Saturday as they welcome fellow strugglers Birmingham City to The Den.

Steven Naismith would be another risk for Millwall

Obviously, Millwall have just brought Harris back to the club, and the immediate focus will be on retaining their Championship status.

However, for the long term, the club is looking at their options, and it seems they want to take the young, upcoming manager route once again.

This is no surprise as lots of clubs are doing this now, but the concern would be that they tried that with Joe Edwards and didn’t give him the time, with them deciding to part ways after only a few months in charge.

Naismith would be another risk for the Championship club, as he doesn’t have much managerial experience to say that it would definitely work out for him at Millwall. So, while looking at long-term options is a good idea, they just need to be careful in what direction they go down.