RUSSELL Martin last night predicted Steven Naismith will once again be a key player for Scotland in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia - despite a prospective £8 million move from Everton to Norwich City falling through on deadline day.

Martin, the Norwich captain and centre half, admitted he was disappointed when Everton, who had agreed a fee with their English Premier League rivals for Naismith, had blocked the move at the last minute on Tuesday after being unable to secure a replacement.

However, the Scotland defender is confident his team mate, who has fallen out of favour at Goodison Park this season, will be unaffected in the massive Group D match here in Tbilisi tomorrow evening.

Gordon Strachan’s side can take a significant step towards a place the European Championship finals in France next summer with an away victory against the second-bottom side in their section.

Naismith has been involved in all six of his national team’s qualifiers to date and is guaranteed to be in the starting line-up for the meeting with Kakhaber Tskhadadze’s side in the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena if fit.

“Steven Whittaker and I were asked recently what we thought about him and we both sang his praises,” said Martin. “He would have been an immense signing for Norwich and I’m annoyed we couldn’t get him. I’d rather play with him than against him, that’s for sure.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of the deal, but when business is left that late on deadline it is tough to get it done. We were training twice on Tuesday and if it was to be done after the second session, it would have been tough.

“But Everton wanted to keep him and there’s no surprise there. I’m sure our club will be disappointed. I know as players we were disappointed and I’m sure our manager Alex Neil will feel the same

“Naisy asked us about the club, the training ground and stuff like that when he heard the bid had come in, but that was just in case Everton accepted the bid. You have to have an idea of what you’re going to.”

Martin added: “He’s been brilliant for Scotland and I’m sure that will continue. He can play in a few roles as well and is so important to the way we play. You know exactly what you’re going to get from him.

“He works tirelessly and is 100 percent in everything he does. He’s fantastic in the air for such a small guy and is so wholehearted. He likes a moan, but I like that. It’s good for us and if someone is moaning for the right reason it’s okay.”

Meanwhile Martin refused to rule out Norwich, who Scots manager Alex Neil led to promotion via the play-offs last season and who have made an encouraging start to the new Premier League campaign, landing his countryman in the next transfer window.

“Now we’ll see what happens in January,” he said. “Six months is a long time and a lot can happen. We might have other targets, but if he eventually comes it will be brilliant. But Naisy might have other options or he could set the world alight with Everton again, getting back in the team and scoring goals. You never know.”

Elsewhere, Martin stressed the Scotland players were concentrating fully on the Georgia match despite a glamour tie against World Cup holders Germany looming at Hampden on Monday.

“I’ve not thought about that at all,” he said. “At this level of football if you look too far ahead you get caught out. The next game ahead is Georgia on Friday, simple as that. We can’t focus on any other game apart from that.”