Naismith left in limbo

We always knew that this deal to bring Steven Naismith from Rangers to Everton was going to be complicated.

The agreement between Everton and the Scottish international striker might have been straight forward enough, but the circumstances which led towards the move has left him and Everton in limbo.

Naismith opted to walk out on Rangers after months of financial turmoil and joined Everton on a four-year-deal earlier this month.

Back in February Naismith had a release clause of £2million written into his contract after he took a 75% pay-cut and he was beginning to be linked with a move to Everton back in May.

But events at the end of June accelerated his transfer and meant that he would be available as a free agent.

Naismith and Rangers team-mate Steven Whittaker both declared themselves as free agents after claiming that they had refused the transfer of their contracts to the Rangers newco, with the oldco set for liquidation. A number of other players have followed in the footsteps, following their rejection from the Scottish Premier League and demotion to the fourth tier of Scottish Football.

Rangers of course have declared they will take legal action against the players and any team attempting to sign them.

That threat has led to the players being unable to receive international clearance from the Scottish Football Association, which has blocked the completion of the transfers involving those players.

Which leaves all parties in limbo with Naismith unable to take part in pre-season fixtures for Everton, although with his knee injury, what part he would have played at this stage is open for debate anyway.

'All the clubs who have taken the boys from Rangers are in the same situation at the moment,' Moyes told Sky Sports News.

He continued: '[his knee] has needed a bit more time and has actually helped us,'

'We are able to fit him in and around training, so he is maybe two or three weeks behind anyway.'

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