A war of words has broken out between former Celtic players Neil Lennon and Scott McDonald over how the striker’s proposed move to Hibernian collapsed.
McDonald signed a new one-year deal to remain at Motherwell yesterday, despite claims earlier in the week from Hibs manager Lennon that talks for the Australian to move to Easter Road were at an advanced stage.
Lennon reacted with anger at the suggestion that McDonald had snubbed his club to remain at Fir Park, instead claiming that it was the Edinburgh club who had removed the offer from the table.
Lennon said: "I was surprised at the suggestion that Scott turned down an offer from Hibernian.
"We were interested in taking the player to Easter Road. We reached a point where terms had been agreed, but Scott and his representatives came back to renegotiate and we decided to withdraw the offer.
"The board and I will not be messed around with in negotiations, and we will now pursue other targets."
McDonald however, refuted Lennon’s version of events, insisting that it was Motherwell’s greater attempt at making him feel wanted that was the critical factor in making his decision.
“I don’t know if it was as far down the line as perhaps was said,” McDonald said. “There was a conversation a couple of weeks ago between me and Neil, but that was it.
“I spoke to a Head of Recruitment, I never spoke to a Chief Executive and I never spoke to the manager again, so that tells you how close it was compared to speaking to the Chief Operating Officer here. And obviously I was speaking to the manager day-to-day. Ultimately that was key. How much they wanted me, of course that was key.
“The Hibs thing came up and it was of an interest, but that’s all it was, we never really got down to the finer details.
“Good luck to them, it’s a massive club and a good club, and obviously the attraction of working with Neil was something that was exciting, but ultimately I felt that it was better for me if I stayed here.
“I had a great season last year personally and with the team as well, and working under Mark I really enjoyed my football.
“This is a family here. You can speak openly and frankly with them and it’s never held against you either, which I think is important.
“Some of us are part of the furniture almost – especially some of the players – so there is that sentimental value attached to the club as well.
“We all know that we are getting a little bit older and the club will have to move in a new direction at some point or another, but we’re looking to help that transition as well as senior players for the younger guys and help them to develop.”
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