John Hughes has launched a scathing attack on the agent of Graeme Shinnie accusing him of "embarrassing" his client.

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager has accused Clive Hart, Shinnie's representative, of unprofessional behaviour by publicising the player's desire to leave the club.

Hughes insists Inverness have not given up on hopes of extending their vice-captain's stay at the Caledonian Stadium despite the 23-year-old rejecting the offer of a new deal beyond summer 2015.

Hart, the London-based based agent who brokered Andrew Shinnie's move to Birmingham City and the deal taking Steven Fletcher from Hibernian to Burnley, openly linked the the former's younger brother with Aberdeen and Rangers.

But, while it is known that a clutch of clubs in England and Scotland are monitoring the talented left-back's situation, Hughes was extremely critical of Hart's behaviour.

"First and foremost, I have to say it's very unprofessional and disrespectful from the agent to use a newspaper over a matter like this," said Hughes. "I could see, when I spoke to Graeme there was a little bit of embarrassment in him over the situation. He's been the heartbeat of this club and nine times out of 10 he's been absolutely fantastic. We're still trying very hard to keep him at the club. I still personally think he's got another year to go, but obviously his agent doesn't.

"If it was my agent, I'd be very disappointed in his comments in a newspaper. There have been enquiries and there are teams sniffing about him. And no wonder - he's had a wonderful season. Everything is still very harmonious with the supporters, Graeme, the players and the chairman. But I do think he was embarrassed by the comments from his agent. I don't think he's done Graeme any good."

Hughes admits he has been busy fielding calls from interested parties mentioning Shinnie, who came through the club's youth system and made his first-team breakthrough in August 2009.

"I'll keep the teams to myself unless the agent wants to give me a phone," he said. "It's not just people phoning up for that one particular reason. But seven or eight times out of 10, Shinnie's name gets mentioned."

Hughes insists he would not begrudge any player the right move having been in a similar situation himself when he joined Celtic from Falkirk.

"If anybody can double or treble their wages, by all means go and do that. He's got a family to look after - and that's football. It evolves constantly. He's probably one of the main reasons why we're doing so well. He's a beautiful footballer, and I would pay money to watch him. We've not given up hope, we're still trying very hard to convince him that maybe another year here is the best thing for him.

"The fans never begrudged me my move to Celtic. In fact, to a man every one of them applauded me and told me I deserved it. It'll be the same with Graeme, but everyone is forgetting that we're desperate to keep him."