Jefferies firm on Naismith bid

Rangers had looked favourites to land the 20-year-old striker but the Ibrox club have now had a fourth bid rejected, with Killie claiming they have still yet to meet their valuation of the player, while reports suggest Hibernian have also failed with an audacious £850,000 bid to land the SPFA Young Player of the Year.

Speaking from their training camp in Italy on Thursday, Kilmarnock boss Jefferies did confirm that a verbal offer, in excess of those tabled by Rangers, had been received, but insisted: "We're not trying to sell him or get into an auction."

The mystery bidder is presumed to be Celtic, who had previously expressed an interest in Naismith, and who have already beaten their Glasgow rivals to the signatures of Scott Brown and Scott McDonald this summer.

Jefferies denies Kilmarnock chiefs have reneged on an agreement with Rangers in a bid to secure more money for the talented young player elsewhere.

The Rugby Park club value Naismith at £2million and say they have always made it clear they want £1.5million plus add-ons, while Rangers were only willing to offer £1.5million including add-ons based on appearances.

"We have never had an agreement with Rangers," insisted Jefferies. "They are entitled to their valuation and so are we.

"They have tried to get him for as little amount as possible, as you would expect any club to do. But they have known from a few days after they made their first ridiculous offer what we are looking for.

"If Rangers want to pull out, that's up to them. Steven will be a bit disappointed but he will get on with his life at Kilmarnock. We have always been straight and asked for a fair price.

"If we agree a deal and he doesn't want to go there, he doesn't have to go. He has handled all of this well but it must be unsettling which is why we want things resolved as soon as possible.