Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou says his defending A-League champions have absolutely no intention of paying Scottish power club Rangers a fat fee to buy back former inspirational skipper Matt McKay.
This week’s announcement that the wealthy Bakrie Group had upped their shares in the Roar from 70 per cent to 100 per cent triggered renewed speculation the Roar would pay whatever Rangers were asking to get the out-of-favour midfielder back as a marquee player outside the A-League’s $2.4 million salary cap.
McKay wants out of his three-year deal with Rangers which at the time boosted the Roar’s coffers by $400,000.
But Postecoglou said on Tuesday neither he nor the club were interested in paying any money for his return.
“Nothing new there,” he said when asked about reports the Roar were considering paying the Scottish giants to secure McKay.
“He (McKay) won’t be coming to Brisbane Roar. He wasn’t (coming) last week and he’s not (coming) this week.
“The last time I spoke to Matt he was keen, but it’s not his decision, it’s down to his club.
“His club says they won’t sell him or loan him out without a fee and we’re not interested in that.
“I said that last week and nothing’s changed since.
“People can speculate as much as they like but I’m not in the habit of lying and what I said last week stands.”
Postecoglou said just because the club had a wealthy backer it didn’t mean they would splash out money on players.
“If we had that money we’d be spending it on a training facility to ensure this club is around for 50 years,” he said.
Postecoglou was more concerned about his side’s weekend clash with Wellington Phoenix after their huge 2-0 away result against the Central Mariners last weekend.
“It was always going to be a tough encounter going down there (Gosford) so to come away with a convincing win, I was pretty pleased,” he said.
“They haven’t lost down there for a while and they’d been unbeaten for a while.”
His players face a similar challenge this weekend when they cross the Tasman looking to improve their position on the ladder heading into the finals.
“It won’t be easy. They will have a big crowd but we kind of like that challenge,” said Postecoglou.
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