"To be honest" - Bristol City backed as player leaves Ashton Gate | OneFootball

FLW's Bristol City fan pundit has provided his verdict on Kal Naismith returning to Luton Town.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Kal Naismith has rejoined Luton Town from Bristol City on an initial loan deal until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Naismith is a versatile left-footed central defender who emerged from the Rangers ranks as a youngster. He quickly moved south of the border and began his journey through the EFL, with Accrington Stanley being his first destination.

Subsequent moves to Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic came and went, before Naismith impressed at then Championship outfit, Luton. He played 68 times for the Hatters over an 18-month period as their upward progression continued.

The Scotsman was offered a new deal at the end of the 2022 season, but favored a move away. During his one full campaign at Kenilworth Road, Naismith made the Championship Team of the Season after scoring twice and assisting seven over 42 matches.

A move to Bristol City then beckoned but he has struggled at Ashton Gate and may regret his decision, having been a key figure in a thriving Hatters side that were clearly on the up. The controversial decision hasn't really worked out for him, with the Robins failing to make meaningful progress in recent years.

Kal Naismith rejoins Luton Town from Bristol City

This season, he has spent a decent chunk of his time on the bench under Liam Manning, and you were beginning to wonder whether next summer would be the end of the road for him at the club. Instead, it came in January.

FLW asked our Robins fan pundit Tom Rawle if Bristol City made the right decision to let Naismith leave on loan and effectively bring his time with the Robins to an end. He said: "I think with Kal, the time was probably right for him to move on.

"He's a good player on his day. He can bring the ball out from the back, he's got a hell of a left foot, and one time — certainly under Nigel Pearson — he was one of our more creative players.

"That being said, he has been plagued with injury since he's been at City. He has never really got going. He is, however, a good leader.

"I feel like, at this moment in time, we are probably lacking more of in that department. But his contract is up in six months and were we going to sign him onto a new deal? Probably not.

"So, I feel like for him to get a move to Luton and get some game time in him is probably best for all parties, to be honest.

"I genuinely wish Kal nothing but the best, because he was probably one of my more favoured players, to be honest.

"Definitely, yes."

Kal Naismith's latest career challenge

Naismith has had a respectable playing career with a number of clubs, but his spell with Bristol City has been rather sporadic in terms of game time.

He will hope to feature more often back at Luton, and will also be hoping that his leadership and vast experience can be vital in the final months of the campaign to help Luton survive back-to-back relegations.

Over his career, he has been utilised in a whole range of positions, but he has predominantly featured as a centre-back for the Robins. The utility defender could be a useful player for Matt Bloomfield.

Now, at the age of 32, Naismith is at the twilight of his career and performances are not what they used to be. One or two last challenges are likely to be what is left of his career as a player, starting with Luton over the next four months.