Naismith and Clark can fight it out for accolade of best free signing, says Jones

Kal Naismith runs into crowd of Luton players and staff to celebrate his winner against Bournemouth while manager Nathan Jones celebrates in the foreground. Photo by Liam Smith

Nathan Jones says Kal Naismith could challenge Jordan Clark as the best free signing, but believes it shows how good Luton’s recruitment has been after the Scot scored a last-gasp stunner to beat Bournemouth.

Both players were outstanding against the Championship leaders but it was the Scot who found the bottom corner from 18 yards with virtually the last kick of the game to seal a 3-2 victory.

It was a classy finish from a player that joined Luton a year to the day as a winger and utility player, but has established himself as an influential defender.

Kal Naismith fires in the winner against Bournemouth to spark pandemonium inside Kenilworth Road as Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu watches on. Photo by Liam Smith

“The boy doesn’t snatch at anything,” Jones said of Naismith’s composed finish, adding: “At times, he’s too cool and you’ve got your heart in your mouth, but he shows real quality, real composure. Excellent.”

Jones has previously praised midfielder Clark as one of the best free transfers in world football, and when asked if Naismith could contest that tag, the manager said: “If they have a little fight up for that accolade then good. It shows that our recruitment has been good here. Very good.

“I think eyebrows were raised when we brought Kal Naismith in. I know there were, even inside the club, because he’s not what we go for.

“We usually go for young, hungry ones, who we believe are on their way way up. I’ve watched Kal and he’s hungry. He’s not quite as young but he’s not old by any stretch.

“He’s 29, still hungry. He’s had a really good career, but we’ve brought him in and he’s very, very versatile. He’s turning into, now, a good defensive midfield player. Wonderful.”

Jordan Clark leaves a Swansea player on the deck. Photo by Liam Smith

Clark also impressed in a midfield with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Allan Campbell who registered his first ever goal for Luton with a 25 yard pile-driver, to make it 2-0 by half time.

Jones said: “When you look at them (Bournemouth), no disrespect, but they’ve got Ben Pearson on the bench, that they paid a lot of money for. They’ve got Lerma, Steve Cook, Lewis Cook.

“The midfield they’ve got, they paid fortunes for, so for us to be competing shows that we’re doing something right.”

He added: “Football is the best game in the world. The highs and the lows you get, but we’ve seen it all today. I genuinely believe that we were good value for that win.”