Kris Boyd has claimed that Everton's interest in Rangers defender Nathan Patterson is "not going away".

The Scotland youngster has been left out of the Ibrox squad for today's match against Celtic and ahead of the game Boyd addressed his absence.

He said: "It's massive, it's not ideal preparation.

"It's something Rangers are going to have to deal with, because from what I'm led to believe, the bid from Everton is not going away, the interest.

"I don't believe that's why he's missing the game today, at least I hope it's not, because if you've got somebody who's worth millions of pounds you want to showcase it in a fixture like this.

"It's a blow, but with Balogun coming in it gives him an opportunity."