Neville rapt with Naismith´s arrival

Everton captain Phil Neville has stated that the signing of Steven Naismith from Rangers is a massive boost for the Premier League side.

The Scotland international signed a four-year deal with the Toffees last week as the future of the former Scottish giants looks more and more uncertain.

And as an uncharacteristically early signing for the club, Neville believes it could prove to be a huge lift for the Everton squad ahead of the new season with competition for places increased.

“It’s a massive boost,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“I think when you get somebody new in the dressing room it challenges the whole squad, it lifts morale and it provides challenges to all the team – one, to impress the new signing and, two, to fight for your place.

“We haven’t (made an early signing) in the last two or three years and this one is obviously a big boost for everyone.”

Naismith has already joined up with his new Everton team mates at their pre-season training camp in Austria, and Neville has stated how impressed he has been with the 25 year old’s attitude already.

“In the first couple of days I’ve seen him and spoken with him, he’s got a hunger to succeed and it’s great when you hear that he really wanted to come to Everton,” added the former Manchester United man.

“I think he saw the quality of the team and the quality of the manager and he wanted to be a part of it. He’s settling in fine.”