PORTSMOUTH have had a written offer for Hamilton's teenage winger James McCarthy rejected by the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club.
McCarthy has taken the SPL by storm in his debut season and his form was recognised at the weekend when he was named the league's Young Player of the Year.
The 18-year-old has a contract with the Accies until 2011, however, his performances have r
aised the attention of a number of clubs with Celtic also apparently keen on the player.
Portsmouth have been the first of those clubs to make a formal offer, believed to be worth £500,000, with Hamilton chairman Ronnie McDonald revealing the bid had been rejected.
"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 and the rest of our talented young players know we will not stand in their way when an offer comes in that's right for them and for the club."
McCarthy revealed after receiving his Young Player of the Year award on Sunday that he would consider extending his current Accies deal, although he did not rule out a summer move.
"I'm happy with what I'm doing for this club and if someone comes in, we'll sit down and speak," he said.
The full article contains 236 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
