Kal Naismith admits that leading Luton Town out at Wembley would be the proudest moment of his career as the Hatters captain prepares for Sunday’s Vertu Trophy final against Stockport County.
The experienced defender, who returned to Kenilworth Road last season, initially on loan from Bristol City, has endured a difficult season at times with some costly errors and intense scrutiny. But both his form and Luton’s results have improved in recent weeks, with the Hatters heading into the Wembley showpiece on the back of two positive Easter wins and growing momentum and hope that this trip to the national stadium could be the first of two this season.
For Naismith, 34, the occasion carries extra significance as he prepares to play at Wembley for the first time despite a long career across the English and Scottish game.
When asked if captaining Luton at Wembley would represent the biggest moment of his career, the skipper said: “Yeah, it would definitely be by far.
“It’s hard to even think of it. I know that’s hard but yeah, just sort of captaining the club and lead the club and any game is is incredible for me and proud. I think it will be my proudest time, looking back, when I was made captain of the club. But yeah to to have these memories of doing that in a final in front of huge crowds and thoughts of lifting the trophy, these are the things I look back on when I’m grey and old and I think, ‘wow, that was was special’.”
The Scot admitted it has been impossible not to picture the moment already of him lifting the trophy that Town last won in 2009.
“I have lifted the trophy. We got promoted with Portsmouth, got promoted with Partick Thistle, previous clubs before, but yeah I don’t know, it’s weird to just picture yourself, just visually.
“I believe in that. I believe in meditating and putting yourself there and seeing it and visualisation. I think that’s a powerful tool, if you use it correctly. You can let negative thoughts come in and override your emotions, and you need to battle against that.
“So yeah, I’ve pictured all all this sort of good stuff and visualized myself in the moment and how I would feel and how I would act and how I behave. So yeah, I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t come through my mind.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the final, Naismith says the team are determined not to be overwhelmed by the occasion.
“I’m just feeling excited, to be honest,” he said, adding: “Just full focus, excited and trying to contain my emotions, to be honest. It’s going to be a big day, proud day, having my family and my kids there.”
The defender revealed family will play a big role in keeping him grounded ahead of the match.
“When I sit in the car and I’m driving in this morning and the thoughts go around my head, and to be honest, you’re just constantly seeing the pictures of the game, moments, and it’s hard that it’s hard not to think of it,” he said.
“But I keep myself busym, spending lots of time with the kids, with the family. They sort of keep your mind occupied. And then in here [The Brache] when you’re training and playing football with your teammates, it’s a lot easier. You don’t think of it as much, although you’re prepared for it, you’re training and having fun.
“To be honest, you can’t get away from it. There’ll be times when I’m on my own and I’m constantly thinking about it, but just trying to have positive thoughts.”
The skipper has also experienced difficult personal form this season but insists his focus has remained on leading the team through it.
“Football, it’s the best job in the world. I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said.
“I’ve had tough times in my career before. When you’re a bit experienced, you know football moves fast and it’s week to week, and you can be a hero again.”
He added of being captain: “I’ve got a huge responsibility on my shoulders, and whether that was for me playing or for supporting the lads, I need to be the absolute best version of myself. I can’t be that every single game and I’ve made mistakes as well and I think it’s just understanding that all players go through it. Yeah, there’s a bigger pressure on me, being captain of the club, but that’s what I wanted and that’s what I’m proud of. It’s an honour for me to have that pressure on my shoulders.”
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