Lennon livid as Steelmen secure Scott
NEIL LENNON has accused Scott McDonald of ‘messing Hibs around’ — and insists the Scottish Cup holders pulled the plug on a move for the Motherwell striker. Lennon claimed a deal had been agreed to bring the 32-year-old Australian to Easter Road, but that McDonald and his agent then wanted to renegotiate. According to the Easter Road boss, that prompted Hibs to withdraw the offer altogether. Lennon spoke out after it was implied McDonald had rejected his advances to pen the 12-month extension confirmed with Motherwell yesterday. ‘I was surprised at the suggestion that Scott turned down an offer from Hibernian,’ he said. ‘We were interested in the player. ‘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, so we will now pursue other targets.’ Speaking before Lennon’s comments emerged yesterday, his former Celtic team-mate McDonald painted a different picture of events. He was adamant that the desire of Motherwell manager Mark McGhee to keep him at Fir Park had been key to his decision. Asked how close a deal had been with Hibs, he replied: ‘I don’t know if it was as far down the line as perhaps was said. ‘There was a conversation a couple of weeks ago between me and Neil, but that was it. ‘I spoke to their 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 (Alan Burrows) here. And obviously I was speaking to the manager (McGhee) day-to-day. ‘Ultimately, that was key. How much they wanted me. ‘The Hibs thing came up and it was of 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. 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.’ Stressing his emotional ties to Motherwell, McDonald added: ‘I’m delighted to be back, I don’t even think I actually ever left. ‘There was a clause in the contract to renew. We left it open up until now because obviously we know that Les (Hutchison) has moved on in terms of the ownership, so it changes a few things. ‘But the club have been fantastic to me over the summer period. We’ve been talking the whole way through. ‘Ultimately, it’s important that I feel wanted here, and I think at this time of my career that’s vital. ‘I had a great season last year. Working under Mark, I really enjoyed my football. ‘It’s very similar to when Gordon Strachan was my manager. They are obviously very good friends, and what he gives me helped the decision.’