Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson insists any club wanting to sign Jason Naismith will have to pay for him.
Aberdeen were linked with a move for Naismith yesterday but as he is under contract in Dingwall until 2020, County will demand a fee for the 23-year-old.
Naismith is coming off a promising campaign with the relegated Staggies, arguably being their stand-out performer over the season and scooping the player’s player of the year award last week. He joined from St Mirren in January 2017 and signed a three-and-a-half year deal with County.
Ferguson said: “Jason is under contact – he’s our player and if someone wants him they need to come buy him. We’re OK with that. He’s a fantastic player and has done really well. If he’s got aspirations to play in the Premiership, then someone is going to have to pay the going rate for him.”
The Staggies were relegated from the top flight after six seasons, following a 1-1 draw with St Johnstone on Saturday.
Ferguson also confirmed yesterday that Tim Chow, Aaron McCarey, David Ngog, Blair Malcolm and Reghan Tumilty would leave the club. Thomas Mikkelsen has opted to leave on a free despite having another year of his contract left while Development squad players Mark Foden, Sam Morrison, Max Ashmore and Kyle Johnston also depart.
All the club’s loan players head back to their parent clubs and the remaining out-of-contract players have been offered terms to stay.