Mccann: Agent has to understand Keane’s not for sale - it’s that simple
GRANT Mccann has branded the contract stalemate between Hull City and Keanelewis Potter’s representatives as “ridiculous”.
Just as he did in the aftermath of the Tigers’ game at Blackpool in December, the City head coach used the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Seasiders to again take aim at the teenager’s representatives.
Mccann says he is convinced that Lewispotter’s representatives are angling to get him a move away from the KCOM Stadium during the transfer window, and that is why terms on his new contract have yet to be agreed.
Lewis-potter once again came off the bench for the tenth match running midway through the second period of City’s frustrating draw, clipping the bar with a free-kick moments before Reece Burke’s sending off and the Seasiders’ equalising goal.
Speaking to BBC Humberside, Mccann was asked if there was light at the end of a tunnel in seeing a conclusion to the on-going saga.
“I hope there is, for Keane’s sake because he’s a tremendous boy that loves Hull City,” he said.
“It’s interesting because the Doc (Greg Docherty) is quite close to Keane and had a good chat with him over the last couple of days, and the question he asked was ‘if I had to ask you to play for one club in the whole world, who would it be?’ And he said ‘Hull City’.
“I just hope it’s resolved for the boy, the agent needs to understand that he’s not for sale, it’s as simple as that. He needs to crack on and play his football.”
Interest is growing in Lewis-potter, from the Championship and Premier League, but Mccann is adamant the Hull-born forward is not for sale, though he believes his representatives are doing their best to fashion a move.
“Of course they are, of course they are, it’s as simple as that - it’s as black and white as that and it’s really frustrating because we want our best players to be playing for this football club, we don’t want them to leave.”
City’s need for Potter to start games was again evident against a disciplined Blackpool side, and with calls for the club to go and buy a striker during the window, Mccann says having the situation with his young star dragging on is good for nobody, especially with a player of his talent sitting on the bench week in, week out.
“Keane’s a natural finisher, he’s a natural goalscorer and he’s developing with us every single day, we brought him into the first team with us in the Championship.
“I’ve probably had at least 20 conversations with Keane and he wants nothing more than to play for Hull City.
“It’s really, really frustrating,” he said. “We all love him here and Keane understands that this is the best place for him but unfortunately there’s a different agenda.”
“Yes,” Mccann said when asked if he thought the agent’s agenda was to get him out of the club.
“They’ve said it to Lee Darnbrough (head of recruitment), they’re going to try and bring offers to the club but it’s not going to happen. The boy is not for sale, it’s as simple as that.
“Ehab’s stressed that to me again, he’s not going in this window.
“We want him to stay here, we absolutely love Keano and he loves it here.
“Unfortunately, these lads sign the contracts with the agents, it is what it is we just hope it gets resolved because it’s a ridiculous situation.”
While hopeful a resolution can be found in the coming weeks before the window closes on February 1, Mccann says he has learned to work with the situation as it is.
“I think I’ve said everything I can, it’s simple, the agent is trying to let the boy leave and we’re not prepared to do that, that’s why he doesn’t want an extra year on his deal,” he said.
“It’s the situation we’re in at this present time and we can’t do nothing about it.
“We know where we are on the Keane situation, the players know where we are on the Keane situation, and that’s where we are.”