Nikica Jelavic says he was willing to stay with Rangers, insisting the final decision to sell him to Everton rested solely with club chairman Craig Whyte.

The Croatian striker moved to the English Premier League on deadline day in a £5m transfer, hours after Whyte released a statement claiming the player wanted to leave the club.

Jelavic, speaking for the first time as an Everton player, made clear his ambition to play in England’s top flight.

But he also revealed talks with former boss Ally McCoist over his happiness to stay in Glasgow if required.

"My dream was to play in the English Premier League but I never forced my transfer.

"I spoke with Ally McCoist and said if the president wants me to stay, I'll stay, and if they need money and want me to leave, I'll leave. The club decided."

Whyte made his claims in an open letter to supporters on Rangers’ website at the same time Jelavic was undergoing a medical with his new side.

The chairman’s statement read: "One, the player wanted to leave and there is no point in trying to keep a player who no longer wants to be at Ibrox.

"Two, the club is simply not in a financial position to turn down offers for players which give the club a good return on its original investment."

Jelavic, who spent 18 months with Rangers after a move from Rapid Vienna, also backed his former club to overcome their current financial difficulties.

"It is a difficult situation for them I know and I heard inside information about them having problems," he said.

"It is still my team and my friends are there and I am worried about the situation but I think they will find a solution because they are a big institution."