Dark Blues boss rues

Dundee manager Paul Hartley is ruing the “harsh reality” of Scottish football after losing star striker Kane Hemmings, writes Ian Roache.

Hemmings joined English League One side Oxford United on a three-year deal that left many Dark Blues fans stunned and upset.

The shock at losing the man who scored 25 goals for the club last season has been compounded by denials that there had been a transfer release clause in his contract.

It has now been confirmed by both Hartley and Dens chief executive John Nelms that there was indeed a buy-out clause, with sources close to the player putting it at £250,000.

Whatever the ins and outs of the Hemmings transfer, it leaves Hartley without his top striker at the dawn of a new season that has started with their likely exit from the Betfred Cup.

He, though, was in philosophical mood.

Hartley said: “I didn’t want Kano to go but there was nothing we could do.

“I’m not privy to players’ contracts because I don’t deal with them but there was a clause in the contract which I have only just found out about.

“Oxford met the clause and nothing we could do.

“That’s the harsh reality of it, you bring players in and there are certain

I wish him all the best and I really hope he does well because he was terrific for us last season. PAUL HARTLEY

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