Naismith signs new deal at Rangers

Glasgow Rangers' striker Steven Naismith attends a training session at the Ataturk Stadium in Bursa, Turkey, on December 6. Naismith has agreed to a new deal that will keep him at Ibrox till May, 2015.

AFP - Rangers midfielder Steven Naismith has agreed to a new deal that will keep him at Ibrox till May, 2015.

The 24-year-old Scotland international had 18 months left on his current deal but has agreed to extend his stay with the Scottish champions further.

Naismith signed for Rangers from Kilmarnock on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2007 in a deal worth two million pounds, but the early part of his career at the club was blighted by injury.

However, he has been in fine form this season scoring the winner against Bursaspor in the Champions League at Ibrox and also finding the back of the net for Scotland against world champions Spain in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

Naismith has admitted that he and his teammates are growing increasingly frustrated by their lack of football in recent weeks.

Tuesday night's Premier League game at Dundee United was postponed for a second time due to adverse weather conditions, after significant water damage at Ibrox forced the weekend match against St Mirren to be called off.

That means the Scottish champions have had just one domestic fixture - the 1-1 draw at Inverness - in the last month, as they prepare to travel to Motherwell on Sunday.

"The stop-start to your week isn't the best preparation," Naismith said.

"We just really want the games to be back on, it's been a bit disappointing that they've been off.

"The thing a player likes best is a routine and knowing your full week.

"It's quite distracting when games are called off days before and training is changing.

"The uncertainty is definitely frustrating for the players."

With Europa League games against Sporting Lisbon to look forward to in February, Rangers could find themselves facing a hectic schedule as they bid to balance a backlog of domestic fixtures with their European commitments.

But, having already produced some credible performances in the Champions League earlier in the season, while maintaining a strong defence of their SPL title, Naismith insists Rangers will relish, rather than fear, the prospect of a packed period.

He told Blues News: "In the first part of the season we liked having the games midweek and at the weekends.

"It keeps you ticking over, you get into a rhythm of playing and we went on a good run.

"So hopefully we can pick that back up and keep that going towards the end of the season."