St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes has dismissed claims he has made a bid for Crawley Town’s Willie Gibson.
The English League Two side snapped up the winger last season from Dunfermline for a fee believed to be in the region of £100,000. However, it is understood that Gibson has failed to settle down south.
Crawley manager Steve Evans has also criticised the player for reporting back to training with below-par fitness levels after being given leave to miss the first two weeks of pre-season to go on honeymoon.
“He needs to get his sharpness back but to do that he needs to get in the gym, get his head down and graft,” said Evans. “He needs to show he wants it.
“He is a player who only played a minor role for us last season and we have too many exciting things going on here to be concerned with one player.
“He needs to show more desire. I have told him what he needs to do now. It is up to him how he responds.”
Reports had claimed that Saints were looking to capitalise on the situation by luring him back to Scotland and had already had one bid rejected.
McInnes has made no secret that he wants to sign a winger before the transfer window closes. However, he insists it will not be Gibson.
“There is no truth in any report that I have made an offer for Willie Gibson I can 100% deny I have made a bid,” he said.