Dunfermline chairman Ross McArthur has criticised Robbie Neilson for speaking openly of Dundee United’s interest in Kevin Nisbet.
And the Pars chief has issued a ‘put up or shut up’ message to the Tangerines, insisting there will be no cut-price sale of the in-demand striker.
Both United and Hibs had offers for Nisbet rejected in the January transfer window and Neilson has confessed the 23-year-old is still a signing target, saying he’s ‘one that’s on the list’.
But McArthur insists there has been no change to the Fifers’ stance since the turn of the year, and revealed he expects interest to come from south of the border in the marksman, who has netted 57 times in 78 appearances in the last two seasons.
However, he is adamant the East End Park outfit will only be tempted to sell the former Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers player if they get an offer they cannot refuse.
He said: “Nothing’s changed at Dunfermline. It’s well documented what happened in January but [United sporting director] Tony Asghar knows my number, as does [sporting director] Graeme Mathie at Hibs.
“If they want to make an offer then they know how to get in contact with me, but I’ve not heard anything, nothing’s changed.
“The bottom line is, if we don’t get the value we have for Kevin then he’ll stay, and I’ve already had that discussion with them.
“There’s no point in us selling him for a cut price because we have to replace him and it will have an adverse effect on next season.
“So, unless we get fair value for him, he’ll just stay.
“He’ll score goals for us. He’s developed last season, Stevie Crawford’s made him a better player, and he’s just desperate to get back playing, because it’s a big season for him.
“I’ve no doubt Kevin’ll go on to bigger and better things, but there’s interest down south as well and if clubs in Scotland think they might come in and get him for a cheap price because of coronavirus or whatever else, we’re not in a position where we need to sell.
“So, unless we got a price where we thought it was at a level where we couldn’t turn it down then nothing will happen.”
In a BBC podcast interview this week, Neilson revealed United’s interest in both Nisbet and freed Celtic winger Jonny Hayes.
McArthur added: “I don’t like managers of other clubs talking about our players like that. He’s our player and he’s under contract.
“If somebody wants to find out if a player’s available they can speak to us. They don’t need to speak about players on the radio or in the papers or whatever.
“I think that’s just disrespectful. That’s disappointing.”
