Mick McCarthy is only back in management a week, but it seems as though he is already ruffling a few feathers.
The former Ireland boss was appointed as Blackpool manager last week, his first role since leaving Cardiff City in October 2021. The appointment received a mixed reaction from the club's supporters, although it seems like a sensible move as they attempt to ensure they avoid relegation at the end of the season.
The 63-year old has already been attempting to add to his squad, although they way he has gone about doing so has rubbed some people up the wrong way.
Hearts not happy with Mick McCarthy comments
Blackpool have been heavily linked with a move for Hearts defender Tony Sibbick, with the Scottish club confirming that an unnamed side submitted a bid for the player earlier this week.
However, speaking Lancs Live, McCarthy suggested that a bid might not have come form his club, with this instead being a case of Herats trying to drum up interest in the player.
I’m not quite sure they (Hearts) are being honest. Are they just trying to trigger somebody else to come in and offer more? I don’t get that. Sometimes people say somebody has bid hoping they can get a bigger bid.
They say somebody has made a bid, so it looks great to the club, the crowd and the fans that they’re keeping him. Whether we’ve bid or not is for (sporting director) Chris (Badlan) and (chief executive) Ben (Mansford) to tell you.
Those comments have not gone down well.
In a statement released last night, they called out the statement from Mick McCarthy, confirming that his club had indeed bid for Sibbick. They also slammed suggestions from the ex-Sunderland man that they weren't being 'honest'.
The club wishes to put an end to speculation surrounding the future of Toby Sibbick.
Contrary to comments attributed to Blackpool manager Mick McCarthy earlier today, we can confirm that Blackpool submitted one bid for Toby on Monday, at 8.33pm, which was dismissed out of hand.
Subsequently, Blackpool have been told that Toby, a much-valued part of our team, is not for sale.
For anyone to suggest that we have been not 'honest' about the situation is, in itself, extremely disingenuous.
The club would prefer to conduct all transfer matters in private, but we will not sit back and let the good name of Heart of Midlothian be besmirched.
Strong words.
Whether Sibbick arrives or not, it is clear that Mick McCarthy will be looking to bring in a couple of players before the end of the month. They currently sit in 23rd place in the Championship, three points from safety.
SEE ALSO: GAA Background & 'Raw Irishness' Helping QPR's Jimmy Dunne Thrive At QPR
