Hearts announce loan deal for Norwich City forward Steven Naismith

Norwich City have allowed Steven Naismith to spend the remainder of the season on loan at Hearts.

Naismith has not made an appearance for the Canaries since the end of August and with Daniel Farke reshaping his squad at Carrow Road, permission has been given for Naismith to return North of the border.

Rangers are also said to have been interested in a reunion with the 31-year-old, but Hearts have managed to edge out their Scottish Premiership rivals.

Manager Craig Levein told the club's official website: "It's a bit of a coup to bring somebody in of Steven's quality, not just in a footballing sense but as a person as well. It's much in keeping with the senior players we have here already, the likes of Don Cowie, Christophe Berra and Aaron Hughes.

"I think he'll be a huge player in the dressing room and a great example to the rest of the team. On top of that he's a fantastically talented football player.

"He'll bring a bit of nous, experience, energy and enthusiasm – which he has in abundance. He's also got goalscoring ability."

Naismith could potentially feature when Hearts face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup this weekend.