Speaking at last week’s Rangers AGM, King branded the sale of McKay to Forest as ‘bad management’ by the Ibrox club before going on to say that he didn’t want other clubs to view the Gers as a ‘fire sale’.

McKay joined Forest for £500,000 after being frozen out at Ibrox, with the player’s agent hitting out at Pedro Caixinha’s handling of the situation.

Mark Warburton looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest. Picture: Getty Images

Grant Smith claimed that Rangers could have secured a seven-figure sum for McKay, adding: “Barrie was someone who was going to make them real money.

“Forest were interested, and they had just made £15 million on a player (Oli Burke, who joined RB Leipzig). Then Pedro decided not to involve [McKay].

“[Rangers] told [Forest] that they didn’t want Barrie. If you tell a buyer you want a player to stay - that’s your leverage.

Barrie McKay in action for Nottingham Forest. Picture: Getty Images

“Forest would have paid a lot more. Easily. Double at least. Mark [Warburton] knew him, Davie Weir knew him and they knew the situation.”

There are suggestions that Forest would have been prepared to have paid around £1.5 million for McKay.

However, Warburton told the Nottingham Post that he wasn’t interested in discussing the transfer.

“I’ll never comment on Rangers’ business activity,” said Warburton. “Our job is to get the best possible deal we can for Nottingham Forest. But we were delighted to get Barrie on board.

“He has settled in really well, it was a big move for him. He’s a Glasgow boy and for him to make that first move away from home is tough.

“We are striving for more consistency now, but there is no doubt about the talent he brings us. Barrie is an outstanding young player.”

Mark Warburton refuses to comment on Barrie McKay transfer claims