Naismith: Hatters have the feel of a 'top, top Championship side'

Although he has only been at the club for a week, new Town signing Kal Naismith has already been hugely impressed by what he is seeing at Kenilworth Road.

The 28-year-old joined following his exit from Wigan Athletic by mutual consent last Friday and insists he couldn’t have picked a better place to move to, with Town making a far better fist of their second season at Championship level than the relegation battle they were entangled in last term.

Naismith, who started out at Scottish Premier League side Rangers and also played for Portsmouth prior to his move to the DW Stadium in 2018, said: "I’ve just been around the place three or four days and the way everything’s done, it’s hard for me to say having only been at Wigan, but it feels like it’s being at a top, top Championship side.

“The way things are run, the professionalism, the way everything’s done, there’s certainly no corners cut.

“We’re a team that I’m sure all the lads are grateful to be in this league.

"It’s a great league to be in and we’ll just all work hard, the coaches work hard, the manager works hard and we’ll all pull in the right direction, trying to do well.”

It’s not only the Hatters who are feeling more at home in the second tier of English football now, but also Naismith, who spent the last two seasons at the level with Wigan.

It was one of the main reasons he departed the Latics too, and has already looked an accomplished performer during his substitute appearances against Bournemouth and Brentford this week.

He continued: "I’ve played in the league for a little bit.

“My first year was tough getting up to speed with things, but now I feel comfortable when I’m out there.

"I’m confident when I’m out there that not only can I do my role, I can also help others and I enjoyed playing in the league.

“It was definitely tough (leaving Wigan), I loved my time at Wigan, I was grateful for them to give me an opportunity to go and play in the Championship in the first place.

"I’d never played there, so I was grateful for the club, but it was the right time.

"There were a lot of young boys that were coming through and getting their chances and I just felt I was at the stage of my career, I wanted to stay in the Championship and test myself."

And why it was Luton who he decided to continue his second tier experience with, Naismith said: “I’d played against Luton loads of times, it’s just that feel of a club where everyone’s together, we’re all pushing in the right direction to try and get results and I’m grateful to be a part of that.

“It’s been great, I’ve really enjoyed it.

"It’s obviously difficult when you first join and you’re trying to get to know everyone, a little bit nervous, but the lads have been different class.

“I knew Matty Pearson briefly (at Accrington) and James Collins I know through a mutual friend, where I’ve been to his wedding and we’ve been sat at the same table.

"I knew all the lads from playing against them either through the lower leagues through the years or in the Championship last year, so I know of them and I'm just getting to know them now.

"The gaffer’s been brilliant, the staff have been great and it’s felt easy, I’ve only been here three or four days, but I’ve really, really enjoyed it.”

Meanwhile, working for boss Nathan Jones has been a big plus for Naismith too, with the former Scotland youth international, adding: "I got the feeling that he’s going to back me, he backs his players and I’m just grateful to get the opportunity to work under him.

“He gives you a lot of confidence and he does that really well.

"He fills you with confidence and then you can just go out there and play your game and know that he’s got your back."