Despite his success with Hearts, Steven Naismith’s return to Rangers as manager is premature, according to former Aberdeen executive Keith Wyness.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed it could be five years before he is ready to make the move to Ibrox.On Tuesday, March 12, Football Insider disclosed that Naismith is regarded as a potential manager for Rangers and is well regarded in Scotland.The 37-year-old Naismith has led his Hearts team to a commanding third place in the Scottish Premiership and is expected to make it to the next round of the European football competition.

Wyness feels Naismith isn’t prepared to be the Rangers’ captain.

Between 2007 and 2012, the former striker played for five years at Ibrox, making 132 appearances while contributing 30 assists and 33 goals.”I had Steven Naismith as a player at Everton and he’s surprised me with what he’s shown so far as a player,” Wyness said on Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast.However, I believe that he should not be entering a position like Rangers at this point in his managerial career.

“I believe it will take some time before he is prepared for such a challenge. That’s four or five years in the future.