‘It’s been the best 12 months of my career,’ says Naismith after hero’s goal gift

Kal Naismith marked the anniversary of him joining Luton Town with the gift of a incredible winner to beat Bournemouth with the last kick of the game and then admitted it’s been the best year of his career. 

Already something of a cult hero among Hatters fans, with his Kaldini nickname, the defender wrote a memorable page Hatters folklore with his stunning strike. 

Naismith’s edge of the area strike, which he said was like an “out of body experience” was his second goal in as many matches. He’s fast becoming one of the most influential players in the Hatters squad – and it’s a journey he’s relishing. 

“I’ve not had a bad  minute at the club, or a bad experience with a player, member of staff or anyone,” said the Scot.

“From the moment I joined the club, I met the physios, the manager. I went to do my scans at a hospital and Bondy (Dan Bond, first team analyst), who sadly has just left the club, what an absolute legend. He picked me up and drove me down to Bournemouth away. 

“I had three hours in the car with him. He’s just such a good person, chatting away, and I just felt so comfortable on the first day.  

“I said to my missus and I said to my mates, ‘this feels good’. It’s been the best 12 months of my career.”

Coincidentally, the game that marked his first year at Luton, brought the same outcome as his first, after he tasted victory against the Cherries last term, when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netter the winner with a fine strike on the south coast.

Naismith was the man to supply the killer finish this time, and though he admitted: “I’ll probably watch it (his goal) 20 or 30 times, maybe more,” he was not surprised about the win. 

“It’s an amazing result. To be honest, we’re not shocked. The emotion of scoring in the last minute, everyone will be overwhelmed and overjoyed, but it is just three points,” he said. 

“Am I shocked? No, I’m not. We arguably deserved to beat Fulham. We’ve given everyone a right good game here. So, there’s no-one we’re going to be afraid of here, or anywhere in the Championship.

“We’re unbeaten in four now, so we’ve definitely got momentum. It’s a good place to come and work. It’s an unbelievable place to play. It’s feel good. 

“If we can go on a run, go about our business and see what we can do, let’s see where it takes us, but it is just three points.”