27 April 2007

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston says Steven Naismith's suitors will have to pay more than £1m for Scotland's young player of the year.

"We turned down a seven-figure offer last summer, so why would we accept anything less?" Johnston told the Daily Mail about the 20-year-old striker.

"There have been a number of clubs looking at Steven and we do expect inquiries and bids over the summer.

"We won't stand in his way, but we won't sell for less than £1m."

And Johnston stressed that he would demand that fee up front for the striker who had a trial with Arsenal at the start of the season.

"I'm talking there about a down payment, too, because frankly we are not really interested in appearance-linked payments, goals, etc.," he said.

"Steven is an enormous asset for Kilmarnock.

"We did not realise a transfer fee this season with him, but arguably his influence helped us reach the CIS Cup final and the top six."

There have been suggestions that Rangers want to re-united Naismith with Kris Boyd, who left Killie for Ibrox in a cut-price deal of less than £500,000 in January 2006.

But Johnston stressed: "He's under contract for more than two years, so there are no parallels with the Kris Boyd situation, when we had to sell because his deal was about to expire."

Assistant manager Billy Brown has not given up hope of Naismith still being at the club next season.

"Until a bid comes in, it's hard to say that we're resigned to losing him," he said.

"We just hope there is someone we can bring in if Naisy does go, but he's down on my list for pre-season training in Italy at the moment.

"When you've got someone of Steven's talent, will and endeavour, big clubs are going to be watching him.

"There have been scouts at every Kilmarnock game.

"He's the young player of the year for the SPFA and was the sports writers' choice last year, so you can't stop people looking at him."

Meanwhile, Boyd has tipped Naismith to handle a possible big-money move.

"He has done really well this season, he's on 17 goals," said the Rangers striker.

"For someone to do that at Kilmarnock, at that level, it's a credit to them and he'll be looking to move on another level." Source - BBC Sport

27 April 2007

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies is expecting his phone to be busy with enquiries about striker Steven Naismith over the summer.

But Rangers' Walter Smith refused to divulge whether he will be one of the bosses making the call after Naismith's goal clinched a victory at Ibrox.

Jefferies said: "If I'm being honest, I would find it very strange if we didn't get some enquiries from clubs.

"As well as the goal, the way he put himself about for the team was great."

The 20-year-old Naismith has already had a trial at Arsenal.

And Jefferies admits he faces a tough job holding onto his prize asset at the end of the season, with the Old Firm likely to be leading the chase for his signature.

"If he had to stay here, it wouldn't be the worse thing in the world for him," he said.

"He enjoys his football here, and he's only 20, so another year would be great.

"I'm going away on holiday in the summer and I'm just not going to put my phone on.

"Sometimes he is the difference between winning games and not and he showed that against Rangers."

Smith has already recruited the services of three players for next season.

Jean-Claude Darcheville will arrive on a two-year deal from Bordeaux in the summer, while St Mirren's Kirk Broadfoot and Alan Gow from Falkirk have signed pre-contract agreements.

Asked whether Naismith is likely to join the list, Smith said: "We are looking for a number of players and we will try to bring a few in.

"Whether Steven Naismith is one of those or not, you are free to speculate." Source - BBC Sport

04 June 2007

Kilmarnock have thrown out Rangers' bid for Steven Naismith and told the Ibrox club to come up with a 'special' offer if they want to secure the prized striker.

The Rugby Park club received an Ibrox bid in the region of £500,000 with add-ons for the Under-21 international at the end of last week.

But Naismith's elevation to the full Scotland squad, which flies out to the Faroes at lunchtime today, has driven up the 20-year-old's price.

And Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston last night insisted that he won't be rushed into doing a deal with Rangers.

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has asked to be kept informed of developments concerning Naismith, while Southampton are also interested.

And with the possibility of an auction opening for the youngster's talents, Johnston insisted: "We have had no offer from Rangers that would be of any interest whatsoever to us.

"Everyone knows we turned down £1million for the player last summer and the moves currently taking place in the market indicate that was the right thing to do. We have no reason to change our stance now."

The sale of Scott Brown to Celtic for £4.5m from Hibernian has strengthened Kilmarnock's hand and Johnston will brief manager Jim Jefferies of developments concerning his biggest asset when the two meet up to discuss contracts today.

Johnston said: "A player like Steven Naismith is just going to get more and more valuable. He has just been called up to the international squad, after all.

"He is a key player for us and we have no desire to let him go. The player is also happy at Kilmarnock, so it would have to be a very special offer from both ours and Steven's point of view to persuade us to part."

"The player is under contract until 2010 and we will be delighted from the footballing side of it to keep him because he is happy where he is.

"There are a number of clubs interested in him, so we see no need to rush into any kind of deal for Steven."

Delighted to see Naismith called into the Scots squad after the loss of a number of players - Rangers-bound Lee McCulloch looks increasingly unlikely to be fit for Wednesday - the Kilmarnock chairman added: "There have been a number of comments from a few people suggesting that Steven should be in the full squad.

"He has enormous potential to become a Scotland regular and we are delighted for him as a club.

"He had a profitable partnership with Kris Boyd when he was at Kilmarnock, so it would definitely be a pairing worth exploring at international level." Source - Daily Mail

04 June 2007

Rangers have made a bid to capture the signature of Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith, BBC Scotland understands.

The offer, thought to be in the region of £400,000, is well below the Ayrshire club's valuation of Naismith.

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has said that they wouldn't sell the exciting forward for less than £1m.

Naismith hit 18 goals for Killie last season and received his first call-up to the Scotland squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier in the Faroe Islands. Source - BBC Sport

05 June 2007

Rangers were last night closing in on the £1million signing of Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith. Manager Walter Smith had an initial bid of £450,000 rejected at the weekend but an improved offer was tabled yesterday and he is confident of securing the player's signature.

Naismith travelled to the Faroe Islands with the Scotland squad yesterday but it is expected that his move to Ibrox will be finalised when he returns on Thursday.

Smith's pursuit of the 20-year-old, along with his attempt to persuade Wigan Athletic to sell midfielder Lee McCulloch, underlines his intention to rebuild Rangers with a predominantly Scottish flavour.

It's a far cry from Smith's first spell in charge, when he was more accustomed to trawling Serie A and La Liga for potential recruits.
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However, owner David Murray's determination not to return to the profligacy which took the club close to insolvency has resulted in a more prosaic policy, although supporters are entitled to be excited at the prospect of Naismith being reunited with his former Rugby Park team-mate, Kris Boyd.

The Scottish Football Writers' Association's Young Player of the Year in 2006, Naismith displayed a greater maturity in the campaign just concluded. His 19 goals included a last-minute penalty equaliser in Kilmarnock's 2-2 draw with Rangers in October and the only goal of the game when the clubs met in Glasgow last month.

"I've heard the reports but until I get a phone call from Kilmarnock, there's nothing that I can do," he said. Source - The Daily Telegraph

27 June 2007

Rangers have had a second offer for Scotland striker Steven Naismith turned down by Kilmarnock.

BBC Sport understands that Rangers offered £700,000, half to be paid immediately, with the rest to follow in a year's time.

Kilmarnock, who had rejected a £400,000 bid, would have benefited further from add-ons for goals and appearances.

But the Ayrshire club dismissed those outright and are thought to be holding out for £1.5m for the 20-year-old.

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has kept manager Jim Jefferies informed of developments.

Jefferies told BBC Sport that Rangers' offer was still below Kilmarnock's valuation of the player.

"It (the offer) is a slight increase but still nowhere near what we're looking for - so we turned it down," said Jefferies.

"Steven's got a three-year contract with us and we're not trying to sell him.

"If we receive an offer that seems fair and we couldn't turn down we would see if Steven wanted to go - he would make the final decision.

"Until that happens, any offer we feel is unacceptable will be turned down."

Jefferies said Naismith had handled the speculation well and was committed to the Ayrshire club if a move did not materialise before the new season.

Naismith, who had a trial with Arsenal last season, has also been tracked by Celtic and several English clubs, with Bristol City going public with their interest.

But the striker, who made his Scotland debut against the Faroe Islands last month, would prefer to remain in his homeland at this stage of his career.

And he has stressed that he would rather stay at Rugby Park than be signed by one of the Old Firm clubs as a squad player.

He scored 19 goals last season and Rangers would like to re-unite him up front with former Kilmarnock team-mate Kris Boyd. Source - BBC Sport

1 July 2007

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston says Rangers' latest offer for Steven Naismith falls "well short" of the figure they're looking for.

"We've given them an indication of the kind of figure that would make us think about selling," explained Johnston.

"So far, they haven't come near that, therefore we're a long way from reaching an agreement."

Rangers made two previous offers for the 20-year-old, but have again fallen short of Killie's valuation.

Naismith, who scored 19 goals for Killie last season, has been linked with both Old Firm clubs this summer.

Sunday newspaper reports had claimed the Scotland international was poised to move to the Glasgow club this week.

A source reputed to be close to the player reportedly claimed that the completion of a deal was imminent.

Rangers have already signed five players this summer, with Kirk Broadfoot, Alan Gow, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Graeme Smith and DaMarcus Beasley arriving at Ibrox. Source - BBC Sport

5 July 2007

Kilmarnock have rejected a fourth bid from Rangers for Steven Naismith.

And Killie chairman Michael Johnston claims the Ibrox club have rivals in their bid to sign the Scotland stiker.

He told The Herald: "It is a more attractive offer than the Rangers one and might be the subject of future discussions."

Rangers submitted the same offer of £1.5m which was dismissed by Kilmarnock at the weekend, but have structured it differently.

This time, Rangers offered £1m to be paid in two instalments and lowered the number of appearances at which a further £500,000 would be due.

But Kilmarnock value the SPFA young player of the year at £2m and appear unwilling to compromise.

Johnston said: "We have informed them that it is still not acceptable."

The 20-year-old striker flew to Italy with Kilmarnock on Thursday for a pre-season training camp.

His future remains unresolved, with Rangers so far refusing to meet Kilmarnock's asking price for the Scotland international.

Reports claim Celtic have revived their interest in Naismith, after selling Craig Beattie to West Brom for £1.25m, while Hibernian have also been linked with a move for the talented player. BBC Sport

20 July 2007

RANGERS were today finally edging towards a deal for Stevie Naismith and hope to land the Kilmarnock striker at the FIFTH time of asking.

Given the tense negotiations, failed bids and counter-claims that have gone on between Ibrox and Rugby Park throughout the past seven weeks of this saga, no-one was taking anything for granted today.

But the signs are Naismith will be a Rangers player before next Wednesday's signing deadline for the Champions League tie against either Zeta or Kaunas.

Walter Smith's target has always been to have the 20-year-old (inset) in place by that time, and if it happens even quicker the Rangers boss will be happy to take it.
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It is believed the payment terms and add-on clauses have been looked at again in fresh talks between the clubs since Wednesday.

The deal is likely to net Killie £1.5m up front, with a further £300,000 in payments for appearance clauses.

That would earn Naismith his dream move, but the player is not getting his hopes up until Killie give him and his agent, Andrew McCormick, permission to talk to the Ibrox club.

At the moment, Killie boss Jim Jefferies is preparing to field Naismith for the first time in pre-season in a friendly against Dundee tomorrow.

But the manager revealed: "In writing, Rangers are a bit away. But there are one or two verbals' going on through a third party and it seems they are not far away now.

"As it stands, there is still nothing official. Until we get to that point, the important thing for me is to get one of our key players back playing football and that's likely to happen against Dundee." Source - EveningTimes

22 July 2007

Rangers have dropped their interest in Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith after having four offers turned down for the Scotland international.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies told BBC Sport that their Scottish Premier League rivals had not been in official touch for a couple of weeks.

And Ibrox counterpart Walter Smith said: "We have withdrawn the offer. I can't make it clearer than that.

"We can't come to agreement with Kilmarnock, so that's it finished."

The transfer of Naismith appeared near to completion last week when Jefferies revealed that informal talks through the player's agent had brought the two sides closer together.

But Killie chairman Michael Johnston told BBC Sport: "It hasn't resulted in anything concrete.

"Rangers have improved the terms under which payment would be made, but there is still a fair gulf between our valuations.

"Meantime, we have had a higher offer from another major club, but nobody has offered what we are looking for."

Reports suggest that Kilmarnock want £2m, while Rangers' latest offer was closer to £1.5m.

Celtic, Bristol City and Hibernian have previously been linked with the player.

Naismith scored Killie's second goal in Saturday's 2-2 draw away to Dundee in what was his first pre-season outing.

And Jefferies admitted that his movements in the transfer market were being constrained by the uncertainty surrounding the 20-year-old.

"Rangers have not been in touch officially for a couple of weeks," he said.

"There has been interest from other parties, but nothing concrete, so there is nothing new to report."

Meanwhile, Naismith showed his frustration about the lack of progress.

"I just want my future sorted out as quickly as possible," he told the Sunday Mail.

"All the speculation is starting to affect me.

"Whatever club comes in for me, I hope Kilmarnock accept an offer soon and let me prepare properly for the new season.

"This could be a life-changing opportunity and I don't want anything to jeopardise it." Source - BBC Sport

24 July 2007

Steven Naismith's agent claims the Kilmarnock striker is sick with worry following the apparent collapse of his proposed transfer to Rangers.

The Ibrox club have had four bids for the 20-year-old knocked back and insist they will no longer pursue the matter.

"Steven's reached the end of his tether and needs to leave," Andrew McCormick told the Daily Record.

"Steven's father has expressed concern over his son's health because his head is in such a mess he can't sleep."

Rangers were offering a fee in the region of £1.5m for last season's SPFA Young Player of the Year in the Premier League.

And McCormick was critical of Rugby Park chairman Michael Johnston's handling of negotiations.

"Steven is disillusioned with the treatment he's received from a chairman whose handling of this saga has been quite incredible," he added.

"Johnston seems to spend more time communicating with fans on websites than he does telling Steven what is going on.

"The player and chairman have no working relationship whatsoever.

"Steven is being denied an opportunity to better himself and increase his earnings 10-fold. I defy anybody not to become frustrated in those circumstances.

"It's like having a winning lottery ticket in your hand but Kilmarnock's chairman wants to rip it up and deny him the chance to cash it in.

"It's impacting hard on Steven and his family. They can all see his pain and it's distressing for everyone."

Naismith has three years of his contract to run and Kilmarnock want to get the best deal possible for their prize asset.

Last week, Killie boss Jim Jefferies indicated that Rangers were closing in on a deal.

And McCormick is of the opinion that the manager has also been let down by the prevaricating of his chairman.

"I also believe Jim Jefferies - who has been terrific with Steven throughout this whole episode - has questions he needs answered," continued the agent.

"It is my understanding that Jim has asked how the club can afford to knock back £1.5million when they've done nothing but cut costs since he's been there.

"Jim has been working on a shoestring and has done a magnificent job.

"But I think he's frustrated a guaranteed sum of money, one which might change his financial constraints, hasn't been accepted." Source - BBC Sport