Naismith: Let me stay at Pompey

But he revealed there are currently no talks taking place to tie him to Fratton Park beyond next summer.

The Scot registered his 20th goal in 78 appearances with his match-winner against Plymouth at the weekend.

It was also the first of a campaign which has yielded just six League One starts for the creative talent.

Naismith has struggled for regular football under Kenny Jackett, although has now featured in the starting XI for five straight matches.

Having signed from Accrington on a three-year-deal for an undisclosed fee in May 2015, he is out of contract at the season’s end.

But the former Rangers man is adamant he wants to stay.

He said: ‘I would like to stay here, of course I would, it’s an amazing football club.

‘I feel I have a good relationship with the fans and I love playing here.

‘Any footballer at this club would love to stay.

‘Any footballer who leaves here never usually moves up because it is hard to get a bigger club in League One or League Two unless you go into the Championship.

‘Even then some clubs in the Championship aren’t as big.

‘You obviously get a lot of players at whatever club you play for, whether it’s Accrington or whoever, and they say “Love the club, blah, blah, blah” – but the memories I made at this club last year will never be forgotten.

‘I genuinely want to stay, I do, I love playing for Portsmouth.

‘I’m contracted to this club for another six or so months. If it’s longer then great, if it’s not and they don’t deem I will get a new contract, then I’ll move on.

‘But I want to say – and while I’m still at the club I will give it everything and leave the contract talks to whoever else.’

Naismith is currently awaiting news on the left knee he injured during Saturday’s victory.

He was forced off in the 83rd minute following a collision with Pilgrims keeper Remi Matthews.

It prematurely ended an excellent performance from the 25-year-old, having been asked to lead the line in Brett Pitman’s absence.

Naismith has had to be patient for a regular run in the side under Jackett, although insisted he doesn’t have anything to prove.

He added: ‘I’m not trying to prove myself, I think I proved myself last year.

‘A lot of people know what I can do and I am never putting pressure on myself to prove I am good enough.

‘I know I am good enough, I know I am good enough to play for Portsmouth. I don’t think that is in any doubt with the fans or anyone else, whether Mark Catlin, Tony Brown or the manager.

‘I don’t feel I need to do well to perform or need to do well to get a contract – first and foremost I just need to do well for the club and for my team-mates.’