Key defender Gareth McAuley has revealed that he has rejected the new contract offered by the Blues and says his future should have been sorted last summer. The Northern Irishman, who is amongst 21 players out of contract at the end of the season, also confirmed that the Blues turned down offers for him in the close season.

McAuley said: “It’s a funny one. And it should have been sorted out last summer. Ipswich turned down a couple of offers for me and if they were keen to keep me they should have offered me a new deal then instead of letting it drag on for months.”

SPL giants Rangers were believed to have made offers for the former Leicester and Lincoln man during the summer and may well renew their interest with the 31-year-old able to talk to other clubs now he has fewer than six months remaining on his current contract. Premier League Bolton were also linked.

The former skipper confirmed TWTD’s earlier reports that he, along with current captain David Norris, had been offered a two-year deal by the Blues but says it doesn't match his expectations: “I was eventually offered a two-year contract four weeks ago, but it was not right for me and I told the club with the ball now back in their court.

“There have been further discussions, but we don’t seem any further forward. I’m happy here, but I have got to look after number one at this stage of my career.

“There is no way I look at the grass being greener on the other side of the fence and I’m not after silly money. The contract offer is not right at the moment.”

Prior to his sacking, former manager Roy Keane had targeted signing veteran Irish international centre-half Andy O’Brien - who has subsequently moved from Bolton to Leeds - which may have indicated that he expected McAuley to leave Portman Road at some point in the months to come.

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 15:35 - Jan 11 what did we expect, Clegg should go, offering the same terms is sick!
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ItfcFtw added 15:36 - Jan 11 Oh dear oh dear oh dear. That is a bad start to the year :(
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itfc1981 added 15:38 - Jan 11 Evans clearly enjoys wasting the million pounds he paid for him, Why, oh why didnt we offer him a contrct earlier?
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floridaboy added 15:38 - Jan 11 Sorry but take what is on offer - he must be one of the highest paid players at the club - and stop moaning. Get sick and tired of players holding clubs to ransom. Yes he is a good defender but a good championship defender. Yes he would do OK at Rangers if he went there as their football is championship standard. If he does not want to play for the club then fine. Every player can be replaced

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CleverTrevor added 15:39 - Jan 11 Offer him a 10% increase and if he doesn't take it, dump him in the reserves.
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ITFC_Forever added 15:39 - Jan 11 ITFC1981... where does it say we offered the same terms?
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bahri added 15:40 - Jan 11 Bye George
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clive_baker added 15:41 - Jan 11 Sit him down and give him what he wants. He will cost £2 million to replace in the summer when we haev a valuable asset sitting right there depreciating by the day. Sit him down and thrash out a deal....NOW!
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KembleBlue added 15:44 - Jan 11 decent champ defender nowadays, had a very poor spell but would be happy for him to stay 2 years. He will be 33/34 by then and even slower.. if he doesnt want to sign get rid.. hes really not that good and as mentioned above, sick of these people holding the club to ransom.. footballers are overpaid and i dont blame them for trying to get more but seriously the way hes been quoted too rubs the wrong way.. bye bye, bring in a youngster

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Bugs added 15:44 - Jan 11 Maybe it's not just the money but the length of the contract, I expect his after a 3 year deal.
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oldbluestu added 15:44 - Jan 11 Why should we offer him more? Every other worker in the UK is going to get paid the same as last year and in many instances less. He should be grateful he has a job. If his only motivation is money then let him leave, well done Clegg I say for putting Town first. This club is bigger than any money grabbing individual
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StowTractorBoy added 15:45 - Jan 11 I have been saying all along that our out of contracts players scenario should have been sorted by now. We now have another player whose heart will not in the job at hand. What other Club would let 21 players still be out of contract in June at this stage of the season. I expect you will all blame Clegg but Evans makes the decisions.
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TractorCam added 15:46 - Jan 11 Bummer
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itfc1981 added 15:46 - Jan 11 ITFC forever: Phil reported it last week
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legoman added 15:47 - Jan 11 CLEGG OUT
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itfc1981 added 15:47 - Jan 11 HERE in fact http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=17651&title=mcauley:_some_players_let_kea
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clive_baker added 15:48 - Jan 11 Yes but not every other worker could bag themselves 5 or 6 other counter offers within 24 hours and 1 call to their agent. Its a simple case of supply and demand. He will clearly be in demand so he knows he can ask for a bit more. He's right. His and Norris' deal should have been sorted long before now.
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Bobby_Petta added 15:51 - Jan 11 Why oh why has this been left to the last minute, only at Ipswich could this happen. should have been sorted out in the summer, if he is like most footballers wanting a big pay rise, then he should have been placed on transfer list and at least we can get some money back, now he will get nothing while he will get big fat pay day some where else being a free agent.
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bluearmy4life added 15:55 - Jan 11 Sort out the deal CLEGG & ME You can't afford to let these type of players go. They are the heart of the town team.
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Bobby_Petta added 15:57 - Jan 11 Just read that article itfc1981, makes sense why he wants to go, can't blame him. Sounds like Paul Jewell has a real tough job on his hands.
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Keaneish added 15:59 - Jan 11 Sensible though. If i were him i'd want a 3 or 4 year deal taking me right to the end of my career. Difficult to get a contract at 35 for good money! Sensible from our end though offering the 2 years but same money? He has been one of our 'best' players this season!
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jaydee added 16:00 - Jan 11 Another one of Mr.Cleggs F@@@ ups then. Oh and i suppose all you 'get rid then,he's not that good' moaners, are the same people not so long back saying 'god we miss big Mc at the back.
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BlueBob added 16:04 - Jan 11 "I'm happy here, but I have got to look after number one at this stage of my career." So clearly not interested in the club, just how much money he can grab before he's too old. The timing stinks as well and seems purely aimed at the new manager, who will hopefully think long and hard before deciding if this is the sort of player we need. Just compare McAuley's comments with Norris' regarding his contract. I just can't understand why someone from a team which has failed to push the club forward expects a pay rise. I also think he's especially stupid for airing this publically - he's not Wayne Rooney and we won't forgive and forget.

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WadzillaBhoy added 16:07 - Jan 11 Screw it offer him a slightly better contract one more time, take it or leave it. Who actually wants to play for the huns! If he leaves us for them then I say cheerio bring in Troy Brown or Tom Eastman, problem solved!
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brian_a_mul added 16:09 - Jan 11 Not sure if the timing is bad or not as this has been going on for 6 months. He is available to pre sign for a new club from now on as a free agent. Our best option (assuming we dont sigbn him) is to cash is. Its was one of Keanes motivational tactics to make players work for their contracts. He mentioned enough times in the past that he expects players to earn their way to new contracts. BAck Fired!

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