Naismith asks to leave

"As far as I am concerned, this changes nothing. It just makes his desire to leave public," Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston told BBC Sport. "To be honest, I am not sure what will be achieved by him doing this.

"We have told Steven we will not stand in his way, but we must receive the valuation we feel we deserve."

Kilmarnock are holding out for £2 million for the 20-year-old Scotland international but Rangers - who started the bidding last month with what was decsribed by Killie as a "derisory" offer - will not go higher than £1.5 million.

The player, meanwhile, is reported to be distraught at the public haggling over his price, feeling he is being denied the chance to improve as a player and increase his wages tenfold.

He is thought only to be interested in a move to Rangers or Celtic as wishes to stay close to his family at an early age, ruling out a move to England, while other Scottish suitors Hearts and Hibernian would not be able to afford the transfer fee.