Naismith Relishing Europa Challenge

12 March 2015 04:30

Everton still welcome the challenge of the Europa League this season and believe they can win it as well as turn around their domestic form, according to forward Steven Naismith.

Certainly it would appear the Toffees have suffered in 2014-15 for their run in the continental competition to this evening's last-16 first-leg clash with Dynamo Kiev.

The Merseyside outfit - fifth last season - are currently 14th in the Barclays Premier League table, only six points above the relegation zone having taken a total of just 28 points from 28 games.

Since they secured their last-16 place, the mood around Everton has dipped significantly due to back-to-back defeats at Arsenal at Stoke that has left their league record showing one win in 12 fixtures.

But Naismith has emphasised the enthusiasm the club retains for playing in Europe and conviction their success on that front can continue all the way this term - taking them to a trophy that has Champions League football on offer for its winners - without their Premier League revival effort being hampered.

The 28-year-old Scotland international said ahead of the Dynamo first leg at Goodison Park: "The league and the Europa League are as important as each other.

"We want to build on what we did last season, and the demands of European football and league football are what we need if we are going to be a successful team.

"You work so hard to get into Europe. All the top clubs are playing in Europe as well as consistently fighting at the top end of the league, and as an ambitious club, that is where we want to be at.

"We believe we can go all the way to the final and win it.

"We understand where we are in the league and what needs to be done there.

"We will deal with that, but the focus for now has to be on the Dynamo game because we have worked so hard to get this far and we want to give it our best shot.

"Then we can look at Newcastle (Sunday's Premier League game at Goodison Park) after that.

"The squad is definitely strong enough to deal with the demands."

Boss Roberto Martinez feels Everton have "10 finals" ahead of them in the Premier League as they look to stave off the threat of the drop.

But he also wants all thoughts of that to be put to one side by the players when they host Ukrainian league leaders Dynamo, stressing the need for each test his side have between now and the end of the season to be approached "in isolation".

Martinez said: "We know the severity of the situation in the league.

"We have 10 games to go, and we will take that as 30 points to fight for and 10 finals.

"But the only focus for now is Dynamo. One competition should not get in the way of the other."

Source: PA-WIRE