Gary Naysmith

Club

Heart of Midlothian

Naysmith started his senior career with Hearts, whom he joined from local side Whitehill's Colts team. Naysmith made his professional debut, aged only 17, several months later in a League Cup tie with Celtic. His opportunity arose from a suspension crisis, the Maroons having no fewer than four defenders (Bruno, Weir, Ritchie and Pointon) sent off in their previous match at Rangers. Despite the patchwork nature of their defence, Hearts defeated Celtic 1–0, with Naysmith earning plaudits for his mature display. Within a year he had established himself as the side's first-choice left back, displacing Neil Pointon, and in 1998 helped the Tynecastle club end their 36-year trophy drought by lifting the Scottish Cup. That season he was also named Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year. A transitional season followed as the loss of Weir, McCann (both transferred) and Colin Cameron (injured) destabilised the side. Naysmith himself had to adapt to a change in the levels of expectation placed upon him, no longer allowed the defence of youthful naïveté. By the 1999–2000 season he had rediscovered his confidence and was being touted for an international call-up. A particular highlight of that season was his display in a 3–2 defeat of Celtic at Parkhead in February 2000. Hearts had trailed 2–0 before battling back to victory, with Naysmith striking a spectacular equalising goal. As one of Hearts' most valuable assets, Naysmith was also the…

East Fife

On 31 October 2013 Naysmith agreed to stay with League One East Fife until the end of the season in a player-assistant manager role. When manager Willie Aitchison left the club on 28 November, Naysmith was made caretaker manager, and was subsequently appointed as manager on a permanent basis on 18 December. On 1 December 2016 and after three and a half seasons as player-manager of part-time club East Fife, Naysmith signed for Scottish Championship club Queen of the South as their new manager to go full-time in Dumfries. Naysmith's intention was to finish his playing career and his time as the Methil club's player-manager by taking charge of the club's Scottish Cup replay against Edinburgh City on 5 December 2016. However, as the match was postponed until 7 December 2016, Naysmith departed East Fife earlier than planned to be in charge of Queens' league match versus St Mirren on 6 December 2016 instead.

Queen of the South

Naysmith signed a contract with Scottish Championship club Queen of the South on 1 December 2016. After becoming team manager in the following week, Naysmith decided to end his playing career. Naysmith was named Scottish Championship Manager of the Month for January 2019. On 4 May 2019, after the Doonhamers were defeated 3–0 at home versus Partick Thistle and finished in the relegation play-off place in the Scottish Championship, Naysmith parted company with the Dumfries club. In August 2019, Naysmith returned to Hearts in a newly…

Club

International

International goals

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.

Managerial record

As of match played 18 September 2026

Edinburgh City statistics include forfeit win over Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup on 21 July 2021. Initially caretaker of East Fife and appointed permanently on 18 December 2013.

Player

Heart of Midlothian

Scottish Cup: 1997–98 Huddersfield Town

Football League One play-offs: 2012 East Fife

Scottish League Two: 2015–16 Scotland

Kirin Cup: 2006

Manager

East Fife

Scottish League Two: 2015–16 Stenhousemuir

Scottish League Two: 2023–24 Scottish Championship play-offs: 2025-26