[DavidMc]

Jefferies hails Naismith

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies admits that the deadline-beating sale of Steven Naismith to Rangers was a double-edged sword.
"At the end of the day, the club got the £2m that we were looking for all along," Jefferies said of the deal that took the summer to complete.

"The only down side for me was that I did not have time to bring someone in as a replacement.

Jefferies explained that Kilmarnock rejected two new offers from Rangers on Friday before the deal was concluded a minute before the midnight deadline.

"Rangers were obviously desperate to get him," Jefferies told BBC Sport.

"I signed Ryan Jarvis as cover for Paul Di Giacomo, who I let go out on loan as he wanted games.

"But Ryan is a young lad and has still to adapt to Scottish football.

"I took a call this morning because I had someone lined up if Steven moved, but it was too late to do anything and I now have two injured players on the bench."

But Jefferies wished the 20-year-old Naismith well with his new club.

"He has handled it terrifically well and I wish him all the best," said the Killie boss.

"It was great to work with him and be part of bringing him along.

"He is a terrific talent with a great attitude and will go on to great things."

Rangers manager Walter Smith admitted that he thought he would have to wait until January before securing Naismith's signature.


Jefferies (right) said the £2m deal was good for Kilmarnock

"We always thought that he would end up here as he wanted to play for Rangers," said Smith.

"But, at five to 11, Kilmarnock agreed to transfer Steven and we just managed to get there before 12."

Meanwhile, Naismith admits he had resigned himself to staying at Rugby Park.

"As the day progressed, I did not think it was going to happen," he told BBC Sport.

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"I was heading for my bed at 11 o'clock and, by five past 11, I was in my car and we made it with a couple of minutes to spare."

The Scotland international signed a day after Rangers were paired with Barcelona, Lyon and Stuttgart in the Champions League group stages.

"It's great to be at a massive club like Rangers and, as they have shown this week, they are not just massive in Scotland," added Naismith, who made his debut as a substitute in Rangers' 4-0 win over Gretna.

"And I am pleased to be a small part of that."