Football news: Hughes warns there is no 'pot of gold' to spend for Hibs after Fletcher sale

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 19:29

NEW Hibs manager John Hughes has warned supporters he does not have a "pot of gold" to spend on new signings ahead of the new season, despite the £3 million sale of Steven Fletcher.

Fletcher finally sealed his dream move to the English Premier League when he penned a four-year deal with Owen Coyle's Burnley this week.

However, after seeing finances apparently rule him out of a bid to replace Fletcher with Sunderland's Anthony Stokes, Hughes has admitted he is unlikely to see much of the windfall.

He said: "I'll say this to the fans, 'just because we sold Steven Fletcher, everybody thinks there's a big pot of gold. It's not like that'.

"We are still building the infrastructure at the club, doing things at the training centre and there are plans to develop the stadium.

"But I've got a good working relationship with the board of directors and if there is something I want to do I'm sure they would help me."

On his appointment, Hughes insisted he wanted to hang on to Fletcher and work with the Scotland striker in the coming season.

However, he has acknowledged the offer from Burnley – and the player's desire to head south – made it impossible for the club to retain the 22-year-old's services.

He added: "Yes, we wanted to keep him, but you have to look after the business and when we were getting what we thought was a good price for Steven we had to take it. He goes with our best wishes."

Pompey eye Fortune

CELTIC's long-standing bid to lure Marc-Antoine Fortune to Parkhead could be hijacked by Portsmouth.

Pompey officials flew to Nancy this weekend to have talks with both the club and the player.

And Fortune looks set to turn his back on a move to the SPL or Hull City and join Paul Hart's side instead.

Fortune spent last season on loan to Tony Mowbray's West Brom and the new Hoops boss has admitted the 3.5 million transfer fee would blow a large hole in his budget for new players.

Hartley 'lived the dream'

PAUL HARTLEY is content he "lived the dream" for two-and-a-half years as he prepares to leave Celtic Park.

The 32-year-old is expected to sign for Bristol City tomorrow after holding talks with Robins boss Gary Johnson last week.

The Scotland midfielder was told by new Celtic boss Tony Mowbray he was surplus to requirements but there was no hint of bitterness on Hartley's part.

"I had a terrific spell there," Hartley told BBC Scotland.

"I won every trophy that there was to play for. All good things come to an end.

"What most sticks in my memory is the game at Tannadice in the last game of season 2007-08 where we clinched the league. I was fortunate that Gordon Strachan gave me the opportunity to live that dream and I just savoured every day I was at the club."