Marfo joins Edinburgh

Prop Darryl Marfo has joined Edinburgh Rugby from English Premiership side Bath on a one-year deal. The loosehead prop, 26, made three appearances for Bath since joining the club in January having previously plied his trade at London Welsh and Harlequins. Born in London, Marfo qualifies to play for Scotland through his Ayrshire-born mother. Former Celtic forward John Hartson insists that manager Derek McInnes is lucky to have the full backing of the Aberdeen board and supporters after discussions about the Sunderland job fell through.

The Wearside club, relegated to the Championship, wanted the 45-yearold to replace David Moyes but, after thinking it over, McInnes decided to stay at Pittodrie.

However, Hartson – now a media pundit – does not believe that his heart lies in the north-east of Scotland.

“No, it doesn’t, if it did then why did he even speak to Sunderland?” he said “Why talk to other clubs if you’re happy? You just say: ‘I’m content here and I don’t want to speak to anyone else.’ He’s obviously gone to Sunderland looking to get the job and then hasn’t been impressed by them. They haven’t matched his ambition or given him what he wanted – whatever he’s seen, he’s not been pleased by it, so he’s gone back to Aberdeen.

“Derek’s said that he’s happy to carry on at Aberdeen but, when I was a player and enjoying my football, I would tell my agent not to bother informing me about any other clubs who were interested in me.

“When I was happy at a club, I also asked my managers not to bother telling me if anyone else came in for me. It was only when I was unhappy and looking for a move that I would ask my agent to find me something else.

“If things had added up at Sunderland, he wouldn’t have come back but it’s not gone right for him there and he’s not liked what he’s seen and heard.

“But he’s gone and spoken to them and I think he’s very fortunate that he’s back in at Aberdeen.”

John Hartson: “I think he’s very fortunate”