Everton midfielder Steven Naismith is determined to go all the way with Everton in Europe this season in order to make up for past disappointments.
The Scotland international was part of the Rangers squad that reached the UEFA Cup final back in 2008, although his personal contribution to the cause ended prior to the final-four stage after he picked up a cruciate knee ligament injury.
That setback saw Naismith spend the next nine months on the sidelines, and having watched the final from the stands he is eager to make amends with Everton this season.
"I missed the semi-finals and the final and I remember watching the penalty shoot-out in Florence that took us through on TV and I didn't feel 100% part of it," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "It was a great feeling to see the team win but I hadn't travelled and it wasn't great to feel I was missing out.
"This is an opportunity to make up for that. There was still a great buzz from sitting watching the final from the sidelines in Manchester. It was fantastic but it also makes me think now I'd love to get that feeling again and hopefully go one better, play in the final and win it. That's what drives me on.
"It's not just that I never got to play back then but also that I want to experience the feeling we had around the club from getting to the final in the first place. This season when we've been playing in Europe, it has crossed my mind that the experiences I had with Rangers can help me, especially at this stage in the tournament."
Everton take on Dynamo Kiev this evening in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Goodison Park.
Daniel Lewis
