Killie
chairman Michael Johnston (left) will consider
compensating Steven Naismith with an improved contract
if the highly-coveted youngster is still at Rugby Park
next season.
The
20-year-old, who won his first Scotland cap in last
Wednesday's victory over the Faroe Islands, is a
confirmed target of Rangers, who have had a bid of
around £400,000 rejected.
Last week Johnston claimed an informal bid of £1.4
million from an unnamed English club, with add-ons
that would take it to £1.7m, was unacceptable.
It then emerged over the weekend that Celtic had expressed an interest in Naismith but if the young striker stays at Kilmarnock, Johnston may offer him improved terms on his current deal which runs until 2010. He said: "We would be happy to explore the possibility of a new contract for Steven. We might be prepared to improve his contract without extending it to keep him happy.
"Our manager Jim Jefferies is on holiday, as is Steven, so we might have to wait until they get back.
"As I've said before, we are keen to keep him. Steven is improving all the time and he knows he is guaranteed first-team football at Kilmarnock, which he might not get elsewhere.
"His progress will continue here if he stays and I'm sure he will go on to win many more Scotland caps."
Johnston, however, denied instigating a bidding war for Naismith, insisting: "I disagree emphatically with the suggestion that I am conducting a public auction.
"Rangers
are the only club so far to have made a formal offer.
But the first indication of that offer did not come from
Kilmarnock. It was leaked to the press that Rangers had
made a bid.
"At no time have we invited offers or sought to up the ante by circulating rumours.
"We are happy not to have any contact from any club. We are not inviting bids and we have not asked for them.
"If no-one else comes forward then fine, but we are simply responding to enquiries.
"There has been no further activity over the weekend. I don't know if anyone will come in with an improved offer but if not then we will just get on with preparing for the new season."
