Steve says: No Deal on Kyle!

Steve Cotterill in turning down the £500k bid from Celtic for Kyle Lafferty is reported as saying in the Daily Express

'We have faxed Celtic back to say that their offer has been rejected,We have told them we are not looking to sell the player.

'Even if we were to sell Kyle, the offer Celtic made wouldn't even be close to our starting valuation for a player of Kyle's undoubted potential.

'We know we have a real prospect and his value will continue to rise.'

'Look at David Nugent at Preston,' continued Cotterill. 'They value him at around £6m.

'Kyle is two years younger and a full international, so you would have to put the same value on him - if not more!'

There has now also been an announcement on the Official Site

Steve is quoted as saying "The bid that has been made for Kyle is nowhere near acceptable.

"With those words we are not encouraging anyone to come back with a bigger bid because he is not for sale.

"Contrary to his few quotes yesterday, there was a clever journalist who tried to catch Kyle out and mis-quoted him.

"Kyle is neither a Rangers, nor Celtic fan and he is not interested in leaving. Therefore, he is our player."

Interestingly Steve also says "A lot of people swoop on Burnley because in previous years we have a record of selling a player in January.

"We are not doing that this year. We are looking to build our squad and be better and Kyle Lafferty is not only one for now, but he is one for the future, as is Chris McCann."

Pretty convincing rejection and I guess this is where the true test will now be should offers for the player be significantly increased.

It is thought the Scottish champions are unlikely to meet Cotterill's £6 million minimum valuation of Lafferty but if they do and put in an higher offer, will the Club tell the Celtic banker 'Deal or No Deal'?

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.