McCarthy picks up Young Player award

Hamilton Academical have rejected a written offer from Portsmouth, thought to be around £500,000, for 18-year-old star midfielder James McCarthy.

McCarthy, PFA Scotland's Young Player of the Year, made his first-team debut for Hamilton at 16 and has two years left on his contract.

Accies chairman Ronnie MacDonald told BBC Scotland: "Portsmouth made a formal offer but it didn't meet our valuation.

"Having looked after him this far, we are happy to continue to do so."

The New Douglas Park chairman rejected bids for four of the club's young players during the January transfer window and is in no rush to profit from the sale of its prized assets yet.

McCarthy, Scotland's Young Player of the Year, is attracting interest again

MacDonald said of the interest in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international attacking midfielder: "There have been other offers for him but he is still young.

"We really look after the young boys here and, while we will be delighted to see them moving on when the time is right, we would like to have an input in progressing them to the right club for them when they do go."

While MacDonald would not confirm the fee offered by the English Premier League side, he said: "If Aaron Ramsey went to Arsenal from Cardiff for £5m, then who knows what James might be worth.

"He is the outstanding player of his generation."

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