Naismith picks up another award

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a great campaign and scored twice last month as Kilmarnock secured a top six place in the Premier League. Last season's football writers' young player of the year has banged in 17 goals so far this term. There was disappointment for Naismith in March, however, with Kilmarnock losing the CIS Cup final to Hibernian Killie striker Steven Naismith also hopes to cap another wonderful season by winning the Young Player of the Year award But he knows he faces stiff competition from Scotland rising stars. On Thursday, Naismith collected the Young Player Award for March after his scintillating displays helped Kilmarnock clinch a top-six finish for the second consecutive season. The 20-year-old won the Young Player of the Year award last season but he believes the likes of Scott Brown and Lewis Stevenson at Hibernian, Celtic's Aiden McGeady and Motherwell's Mark Reynolds will all be challenging this time. Speaking after receiving the monthly prize, Naismith said: "This is my first award of the season and I'm delighted to have got it. "I got quite a few last season but they dried up from the start of this season. It's more to do with the team doing so well and getting into the top six. "It's flattering to be mentioned in relation to the Young Player of the Year. "Being up for these awards is great and it's a good bit of recognition. "I'll give it my all for the rest of the season and hopefully my name will be up there for it. "Scott Brown will be up there as he's been unbelievable for Hibs, Aiden McGeady started off the season brilliantly, and then there are a few young boys like Mark Reynolds and Lewis Stevenson. "The two of them have done what I did last season and they will be up there. I'm just glad my name is up there with them. "It shows the young talent there is coming through. Over the last few years more youngsters have been given a chance and now they are the country will benefit as they are getting into the Scotland set-up. "I got two Young Player of the Month last season, one Player of the Month and the Young Player of the Year award, and this season I've got a Young Player of the Month award. "It's always good to get them." Kilmarnock's place in the top six is secure as they approach the final round of matches before the SPL splits. They face Hearts at Tynecastle and Naismith believes the CIS Insurance Cup runners-up could still overtake the Jambos and clinch fourth place. He said: "To finish fourth would be an improvement on last season and if we beat Hearts that takes us closer to them and you never know what could happen. "This season has been a success for us. If you ask any Killie fan if they'd have taken top six and a cup final then they would have bitten your hand off. "Now we have a chance to go further and make it a great season."