Neil Lennon has hit back strongly at Scott McDonald’s version of events regarding the striker’s proposed move to Hibs.
After signing an improved offer to stay at Motherwell McDonald claimed that ‘Going to Hibs was not as far down the line as what was said. I had a conversation with Neil a couple of weeks ago and that was it.’
In a highly unusual step Lennon took exception to those comments and laid bare the nitty gritty of transfer negotiations.
While the media conference of a new signing is all polished and professional behind the scenes usually involves some heavy horse trading and brinksmanship.
Hitting back at the player’s version of events Lennon claimed that after Hibs withdrew their offer the player was calling and texting to get the transfer back on.
Explaining the move for McDonald Lennon told the Edinburgh News: “He’s been really economical with the truth. First of all, we did not approach him, he approached Hibs. He approached me saying he wanted to come here and work with me.
“It got to the stage where it had gone on for three or four days, so I rang his agent. I asked what it would take to get the deal done and he told me. I spoke to Leeann [Dempster, Hibs chief executive] and she said, ‘yes we can do that’.
“That was last Tuesday. I got back to his representative and said we’ve agreed everything that you and the player want. I said I expected to see him at the training ground on Wednesday and he said ‘that’s great’.
“I came in on the Wednesday and there was no sign of him. Graeme (Mathie, Hibs Head of Recruitment) told me he (McDonald) wanted to renegotiate and I said ‘No. Deal’s off’. I told Leeann and the staff the same. I told the agent to tell the player the deal is off and that’s the end of it.
“On the Wednesday afternoon, I was having a meeting with my staff and he was ringing and texting, pleading to get the deal back on. We wouldn’t shift on it.”