"That's it . . . nae friends for a week," smiled Scotland midfielder Steven Naismith of the temporary break in communication with his Everton team-mates Aiden McGeady James McCarthy, Darron Gibson and Séamus Coleman.

One of the chief intrigues about tomorrow night’s Celtic-spiced Group D clash has concerned both the volume and passion behind the disapproval which will rain down on the visiting Irish players.

Having spent five seasons visiting Celtic Park as a Rangers player, Naismith can vouch for the tempest of disapproval which the old ground can whip up. McGeady and McCarthy, both Scottish born, are certain to receive a hot reception.

Anyway, Naismith feels that the minor grumbles about ticket allocations and booing are just distractions which will be forgotten come the main event.

“Ah, the fans – the Tartan Army, especially, are fantastic. They turn up and make such a noise and their main concern on Friday night will be let’s get a win and keep this fantastic run going . . . Every away game I play in, fans boo and shout you. It is the norm. It is not as if the Irish players are going to think this is different because it is Celtic and Scotland.”

Still, this match is a once-in-a-generation occasion, enhanced by the fact that Scotland football is enjoying a revival in form and momentum. You could sense that in the energy and optimism with which Naismith speaks about his team’s campaign.

Initiative

The Scotland squad was resting yesterday but Naismith made an appearance to promote a Glasgow initiative project called Helping Heroes, which aims to assist members of the British Armed Forces reintegrate to civilian life.

Naismith conceived of the idea after he received a letter from a soldier in Afghanistan wishing him well as he recuperated from injury during the 2013 season. The letter left him feeling profoundly humbled and he has sponsored the Glaswegian project, linking up with a firm called City Building to help to create jobs, training and housing for veterans.

Naismith has said before that his upbringing in Ayrshire, an area blighted by unemployment, left a keen impression on him. He famously bought up Everton season tickets as a gift to fans of the club struggling to find work in August and frequently alludes to the privileges of playing football at an elite level.

In conversation, Naismith is understated and funny and thoughtful in his responses. He nods at mention of McGeady’s sublime goal strike against Georgia before offering this appraisal of his team-mate.

“I see Aiden more as an old fashioned winger, which is going out of the modern game. I look at him more for assists, really. For us he has set up a lot of chances but it is good to see that he wants to score more goals and is critical of himself . . . ”

He expects McGeady to feature prominently in Gordon Strachan’s pre-match analysis and just shakes his head when Séamus Coleman is referenced.

“For me, he is the best right back in Europe. And I have seen him maybe when I first came to Everton he was a player who would get nervous and would just do it off the cuff whereas he thinks about his game now.

‘A superstar’

“He is probably the most down to earth guy I have ever met in football and . . . he is going to go on and be a superstar. Nothing fazes him, he just goes about his business and is the very same as when he was back in Sligo . . .”

Naismith noted that with Darron Gibson also in a rich vein of form, it is arguable that Ireland’s three most potent players all wear Everton colours. McCarthy would be included in that equation but for the tight hamstring which has limited his recent involvement.

After breaking through at Kilmarnock, Naismith was a habitual collector of young player awards and has a hazy memory of scoring a goal against a Celtic side containing Roy Keane.

But while his club graph has been one of constant achievement – he won three Scottish league titles with Rangers before signing on a free transfer with Everton – he has experienced the lurching fortunes of life in a Scotland shirt prior to this hugely encouraging campaign.

“I think we have the ability to control games. We have good players too . . . Scotland is in a fantastic position and what is going on is really enjoyable for everyone in the squad.”

Celtic Park will, he predicted, contain a primal atmosphere. He couldn’t resist grinning when asked if he will be cringing inside if the home fans vent their hostility at his Everton team-mates, particularly at McGeady.

“No. I can honestly say I won’t even remember it unless someone mentions it because I will be focussed on what we are doing. But I wouldn’t. It is football. It is what happens in football stadiums all the time.”