City in for Naismith

Killie today rejected an offer from a Championship club believed to be Bristol City.

Killie Charmain Micheal Johnston says:

‘We are nearing the kind of figures we would consider to be a starting point for negotiations,’ he told the Daily Record.

‘We have been watching the market with interest for some time now.

‘Anthony Stokes, who did well on loan at Falkirk, was sold by Arsenal to Sunderland for £2m and Kevin Thomson joined Rangers from Hibs for the same price.

‘Scott Brown joined Celtic for £4.4m and it is difficult to see the huge difference between these players and Steven.

‘We have no wish to sell our best players because, financially, we are starting to turn the corner, but every player has his price and we’d be doing the fans a disservice not to consider the options.’

He added: ‘My preference would be to see Steven stay on improved terms and I look forward to discussing that with him.’

City have denied they are the club behind the bid for Naismith.

City’s Chief Executive Colin Sextone said:

‘I’m sure Steven Naismith and other strikers are on Gary Johnson’s radar, but there has been nothing with regards a formal bid for Naismith.’