Naismith "needs to leave"

Rangers have repeatedly attempted to prise the unsettled Scotland marksman away from Rugby Park, but every move has been blocked by Kilmarnock, who are holding out for a £2 million package.

The stand-off has resulted in Rangers boss Walter Smith effectively giving up on signing the 20-year-old, a situation that has frustrated Naismith's agent Andrew McCormick.

He said: Andrew McCormick told the Daily Record: "Steven's reached the end of his tether and needs to leave Kilmarnock. The player and chairman have no working relationship whatsoever.

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

"It's like having a winning lottery ticket in your hand only to be denied the chance to cash it in," McCormick added.

But Kilmarnock manager Jim Jeffries denies his club are standing in the way and that Naismith is more than happy to wait for a big money move.

Jefferies told the Daily Express: "His attitude has been first-class all the way through. He has always given everything."

He added: "We hope it can be sorted out one way or the other quickly."

The former Hearts boss explained that transfer talks with one club - not Rangers - are "a good bit down the road".

Despite the uncertainty over his future, Naismith played and scored during Killie in the weekend's friendly against Dundee.