Source: SKY_Sports
Pompey fail in McCarthy bid
Hamilton have rejected a bid from Portsmouth for highly-rated teenager James McCarthy.
McCarthy, who was named Scotland's Young Player of the Year on Sunday, is regarded as one of the most promising players in Britain after emerging at Hamilton over the last few seasons.
Portsmouth are believed to have watched the 18-year-old score twice in last weekend's win over Kilmarnock and tabled an offer to Hamilton which was rejected out of hand.
Hamilton chairman Ronnie McDonald has confirmed the offer from Portsmouth and admitted they would not stand in McCarthy's way if the right offer came along.
"Portsmouth have made a written, formal offer for James but we have rejected it out of hand as it does not come close to our valuation of the player," McDonald told the Daily Record.
"James has two years left on his contract and has repeatedly said he is happy here. He and the rest of our talented young players know we will not stand in their way when an offer comes in that is right for them and for the club.
"There have been a lot of verbal enquiries and offers for James but Portsmouth is the first written offer."
