DOCHERTY IBROX MOVE IS UNLIKELY

HAMILTON manager Martin Canning last night expressed his belief that Greg Docherty will still be at the Lanarkshire club at the closure of the January transfer window despite ongoing negotiations with Rangers over his valuation.

Canning’s chairman Ronnie MacDonald has already dismissed an Ibrox offer for the 21-year-old believed to be worth just over £300,000 and is determined to secure something in the region of double that figure with Cardiff City, Swansea and Millwall also credited with an interest.

Rangers remain keen to get a deal done, but Canning was clear when asked whether he expects the Scotland Under-21 cap to remain a Hamilton player.

‘I do,’ said Canning. ‘I think he will, yeah. At the moment, as far as I know from speaking to Ronnie, the valuation hasn’t been met that the club place on Greg. If the valuation isn’t met, he’ll be a Hamilton player going forward.

‘I don’t think it’s a distraction in the dressing room. It’s part of the game. There’s always speculation about players at this time of year. Just now, it’s Greg’s turn and it’s our turn as a club.’

Docherty missed yesterday’s 2-0 William Hill Scottish Cup defeat to Motherwell at Fir Park due to an ankle injury — with Canning insistent that there is no way he would pull him out of the firing line because of speculation and eager to have him back in his team for the visit of Hearts.

Asked if there is a temptation to take Docherty out of the spotlight, Canning said: ‘No, because he’s not that type of kid.

‘He’s a very mature young boy. He knows to keep the head down and work hard.

‘The reason people are talking about Greg is he is mature, he is professional, he does his job.

‘I don’t expect that to change with a couple of people saying this or that’s happening. He’s kept informed by the club about anything that does happen.

‘As everything stands, Greg’s very much a Hamilton player and we hope to get him back fit for Wednesday.’