Shrimpers get rejected in courtship of Dons centre back

Luggy interest in the centre-back turned down by the SPL club

Aberdeen centre back Rory McArdle was wanted by Blues boss Paul Sturrock during the January transfer window.

However, Dons manager Craig Brown turned the approach down but he made sure the player was aware of the interest as well as confirming his intent on keeping him at the SPL club.

The 23-year-old Northen Ireland international was happy enough to repay Brown's confidence in him and stay on at the Scottish outpost meaning Sturrock has had to look elsewhere; well, bring Luke Prosser back from Rushden & Diamonds!

McArdle told www.pressandjournal.co.uk: "Managers sometimes have their own way of keeping things from players but he approached me and said Southend had been in for me, but he was not interested in selling me. He could easily have kept it to himself but the fact he is open and honest with his players means we have to be the same with him. It's good to know I was wanted and it's great for confidence if you are going through a bad patch. The fact the manager has faith in me and other players is great."

Oh well, Luggy's trying, and he must be applauded for that, better luck next time, hopefully this week and probably somebody further forward.

The McArdle Files