Raith Rovers' Dougie Imrie gutted to miss out on signing Rangers star Paul Nsio

Nsio made an outstanding contribution at Raith after Imrie was installed as Stark’s Park gaffer last November, helping the club to a fifth-place William Hill Championship finish as well as sealing a memorable cup triumph in the KDM Evolution Trophy when they defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1 in the final at Firhill Stadium on April 5.

A bit part player under previous Rovers boss Barry Robson, Birmingham-born Nsio went on to make a total of 31 appearances for the Kirkcaldy outfit last term – scoring three goals – and he virtually wiped the board at Rovers’ end of season prizegiving ceremony.

Nsio – noted for his speed and skill in midfield – scooped four prizes including Young Player of the Year, Supporters' Bus Player of the Year, Best Individual Performance and the Malcolm Szpera Award for Endeavour.

Raith had therefore been extremely keen to bring the player back for another loan spell at Stark’s Park in 2026-2027.

But that now won’t be happening as it appears he will be on the loan books of Craig McLeish’s William Hill Premiership outfit St Mirren instead.

And gutted Rovers boss Imrie told the Fife Free Press: “Yes it's a disappointment (missing out on the Nsio signing) but Rangers are his parent club.

"They decide where they see him best fitted. We would have loved to have had him back.

"He did well for us last season, but these decisions are out of our control.

"It's Rangers' prerogative and decision where they best see Paul fitting in somewhere.

"We 100% were after him to get him back here. But they've decided that they want him to go elsewhere.

"So again, yes we're disappointed because we felt that he could come in here and kick on again.

"And it's up to Paul now to go wherever he goes, whether it's St Mirren, I know that's been touted, or elsewhere, to try and get the game time he got here.

"But it's done now, so we move on.”