Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has spoken to The News, Portsmouth, about his club’s transfer plans amid reported Rangers interest in Craig MacGillivray.
The Scottish Sun reported earlier this month that the Gers were tracking the goalkeeper with a view to a potential swoop in January. It was asserted that several Championship sides were also interested and that Pompey rated their player at £2 million.
However, Jackett has made it clear that he isn’t looking to sell players in the coming window.
“Like everyone else, we will be trying to add and not take away,” he told The News, Portsmouth. “We haven’t had any bids and we have really got to get our head down and see if we can stay in touch and in contention.”
“If there are any bids then we will deal with them then. But, at the moment, it’s not something we are anticipating or encouraging.
However, while he insisted that he believed all of his players were content with life at Fratton Park, he didn’t shut the door entirely.
“Let’s be fair, quite often the bottom line most of the time is more money. Nobody says it but it is true. We’re all working for a living and it does end up that way.
“Players move on and when they’re unhappy it’s hard to keep them. You can keep them but it’s very hard to get anything out of them.”
Verdict
Showing much-improved form of late, with the exception of their performance at Accrington Stanley at the weekend, Portsmouth have recovered from a dreadful start to sit tenth in EFL League One, just three points off a playoff spot and eight off second-place, which is an automatic promotion slot.
Given that they want to make a charge for the Championship over the second half of the campaign, holding onto their best players will be a big priority.
Receiving £2 million for your number one goalkeeper is only worthwhile if he can be replaced without a negative impact on results.
If Pompey dig their heels in until the summer, though, that may actually suit Rangers.
There’s no shortage of keepers currently contracted to the club, but there’s set to be an exodus at the end of the season, with Wes Foderingham, Jak Alnwick and Andy Firth all out of contract.
Bringing in MacGillivray after those players have all moved on would make much more sense, with the 26-year-old joining Allan McGregor and Robby McCrorie as one of three senior stoppers.
