Source: Team_Talk
Hibs boss: Fletcher will stay loyal
Celtic failed with an approach for the 21-year-old while Cardiff are thought to have had a £3million bid rejected.[LNB]Fletcher had declared it was time to move on from Hibs and claimed he would love to play for Celtic.[LNB]But Paatelainen has no fears over the Scotland striker's motivation.[LNB]The Finn said: "I can understand the player. I have been a player myself and players are ambitious; they want to experience European football, the Champions League and Celtic are a massive club.[LNB]"So I can't say I am totally flabbergasted, but Steven will remain totally committed to Hibs as he wants to develop as a player."[LNB]Hibs have offloaded Dean Shiels, who was out of contract at the end of the season, after Doncaster offered a fee of around £50,000.[LNB]But they resisted an attempt by Nottingham Forest to take skipper Rob Jones, having already turned down two six-figure bids from Colchester.[LNB]And Paatelainen was delighted to keep two of his most important players following the sale of Scott Brown, Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker in recent years.[LNB]"I am not at the top of the hierarchy but I have my say, my opinion is always asked for," Paatelainen told the Evening News.[LNB]"Finances are important in football but it is important we have a squad and team that improves all the time.[LNB]"It is difficult to keep players if someone comes in and offers big, big money but we want to keep our best players."[LNB][LNB]
