LIVINGSTON boss David Hopkin has warned Rangers he is determined to fight ‘tooth and nail’ to retain the services of Matthew Knox this summer.

The 16-year-old was handed his first start for the Lions as Hopkins’ side beat the Gers 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Former Murray Park kid Craig Halkett netted the only goal of the game as the champions suffered their second league loss in a week and continued their poor run of form.

Playmaker Knox trained with Mark Warburton’s side earlier this season and he made the most of his chance to impress at the Tony Macaroni Arena as he provided the assist for Halkett with a first half free-kick.

Rangers could have to stump up around £100,000 to land the sought-after Scot and boss Warburton said: “Matthew is a talented young player, there’s talks going on - obviously.

“He is a young talented player and as a club we have to make sure we get the best young talents and bring them in.

“We have to look to get the best possible player available throughout the age groups.”

Knox has attracted interest from a host of clubs in recent months and he has also spent time on trial with Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton.

He has made seven appearances for the Lions this term and boss Hopkin is keen to hold on to his prodigious talent for as long as possible.

He said: “I am fighting tooth and nail with the board, and I think they are going to back me, to keep him.

"He is a phenomenal talent and there is a lot of clubs interested in him.

"I want to keep him for an extra year or two years and develop him myself because I think he is going to be something special.

"He has only turned 16 and he came out and put in a performance like that against the top team in the Championship and probably one of the top teams in Scotland.

"He didn't look out of place and it is great credit to the kid.”