Everton leads in race for Rangers’ Steven Naismith

Everton will look to pounce on want away Rangers star Steven Naismith should he obtain legal clearance to end his contract at Ibrox, according the The Daily Mirror.

The 25-year old took a 75% pay cut to stay at the club last season but ambiguity at the Scottish giants which could see them fall out of the SPL has left the striker with little choice but to quit the club.

Naismith, who scored 9 goals for Rangers last season, has sought legal advice which suggest that he will be permitted to refuse a new contract with ‘Rangers newco’.

However, new owner at the Glasgow club Charles Green has stated that any player from Rangers and any interested party who enters discussions with said player will face severe sanctions, as Green looks to obtain transfers fee’s for any departing players.

David Moyes is a self-confessed admirer of Naismith and would certainly look to bring the versatile Scotsman to Merseyside, especially as currently, no transfer fee would be required.

Naismith, whose Rangers career has been fruitful but plagued with injury, is not the only star looking to leave the troubled Scottish club. Sone Aluko, Steven Whittaker, Rhys McCabe, Alan McGregor, Jamie Ness, Kyle Lafferty and captain Steven Davis have all indicated their opposition in switching their contracts over to ‘Rangers newco’ and a mass exodus at Ibrox looks to be on the cards.