Town boss Mick McCarthy has reiterated that centre-half Christophe Berra is going nowhere this month, despite continuing links with his former club Hearts. A report this morning claimed a swap deal involving fellow Scotland international Callum Paterson was being lined up.

“Yes, absolutely still the same,” McCarthy said when asked to confirm whether it was still the case that Berra, who has six months left on his contract but with the Blues having an option for a further year, wouldn’t be moving on.

“Christophe has a daughter up in Scotland. I think about my granddaughter and I would like to spend more time with her.

“I think that story was borne out of that. I think there would be a bit of interest in taking him back. Whatever the summer brings is a different thing altogether. But for now, absolutely not, he’s going nowhere.”

Quizzed further on the Paterson swap claim, he added: “No nothing’s happening with Christophe. In this window nothing’s happening at all.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy has said that striker Leon Best won’t be considered for the first team between now and the end of the season.

The former Ireland international joined the Blues in the summer on a deal which runs to the end of the season with an option for a further season.

Photo: TWTD

casanovacrow added 13:57 - Jan 26 not a surprise, that deal made zero sense
2

miltonsnephew added 13:58 - Jan 26 Shame, but we do need him till the end of the season.
3

JackSted added 13:59 - Jan 26 If Best won't be considered for the first team anymore, then why don't we just cancel his contract?
8

brendenward35 added 13:59 - Jan 26 sounds like Best has upset Mick, surpirsed Mick would make such a comment with the lack of options available.
9

hoppy added 14:02 - Jan 26 I'm guessing we won't be taking up that option of the second year for Best then? Not quite sure what makes me think that, just got a hunch...
5

BlueMachines added 14:03 - Jan 26 More on the Best story please.
4

munstermanagement added 14:04 - Jan 26 The Best signing smacked of desperation from the very start. The current situation is just bizarre.
6

MickMillsTash added 14:08 - Jan 26 if not playing can Best be used to paint the turnstiles? - since Cleggs departure they have really gone downhill
6

bigolconnor added 14:09 - Jan 26 If you look at Best's reaction to being taken off during the Lincoln replay you can probably work out why he isn't going to play again. Doesn't look like he had much affinity towards MM's tactics.
2

iaintaylorx added 14:10 - Jan 26 I wonder what Best has done. Never was going to set the world alight though. Wonder what his wages were and why we didn't spend those on someone who is better, hungrier, younger and cheaper?!
3

hampstead_blue added 14:13 - Jan 26 Watching Best's body language against Lincoln I am not surprised he's on the naughty step. His attitude stank. Am really surprised MM gave him a chance when you think of the work ethic MM demands.
8

bigolconnor added 14:21 - Jan 26 To be fair to him though he had absolutely no service in the Lincoln game and was replaced with another striker. I'd be pretty angry.
5

tempzzzz added 14:24 - Jan 26 That's a shame. He'll carry on getting into the first team and cocking up like he has done a lot so far this season. As for Best, he must've really upset Dino. I bet he was the only player to say how he really felt regarding tactics etc and Dino couldn't take it. We know how he likes to jump down peoples throats when they have an opinion he doesn't agree with. Mark me down all you like I'm just saying what I think

7

WBBlue18 added 14:33 - Jan 26 I heard this a few weeks back - before Lincoln so was surprised he was on the pitch then. I sort of assumed my source was wrong. Apparently it is his total attitude around the place, towards training - Lazy etc. Described to me as "not a nice person". Obviously a knee jerk desperate signing that we did not do our homework on re character beforehand.....
3

Global_Blue added 14:48 - Jan 26 MM said nothing was going to happen with Berra before the summer. I wouldn't be surprised if a deal has been done/being done whereby Berra goes north at the end of the season and the Paterson lad comes south depending on how his rehabilitation is going.
2

Global_Blue added 14:49 - Jan 26 Just to add: It would make good business sense, snap up a promising player now, even if he is injured, chances are he's young enough to bounce back and fully recover his former ability. It's a risk, but a potentially good move.
0

Bluetone added 15:08 - Jan 26 Quote McCarthy " I think about my granddaughter and I would like to spend more time with her." Don't let us stop you Dino you know you want to.
0

Taricco_Fan added 15:08 - Jan 26 He's going in the summer. This has been on the cards for a while. Mick can say he's going nowhere this month, but he will be going.
2

TR11BLU added 15:12 - Jan 26 Shame
0

CitrixBlue added 15:28 - Jan 26 Maybe Best could be used to clean that mildew from the Sir Bobby Robson stand? #JustSaying
2

runningout added 15:44 - Jan 26 Try Leon Best in defence I say... Berra is another "does my hair look ok on camera" individual
-1

NoelTheDub added 15:51 - Jan 26 Any striker would struggle in this in this hoofball, unbalanced,slow uncreative midfield, poor tactics team managed by an 70s/80s thinking manager.If any of this crap is true welcome to Casualty f c another player coming into A+E for us to look after before they leave joke of a club IMO..
0

jas0999 added 17:38 - Jan 26 Good regarding Berra although he will surely leave in the Summer so should we be bedding a replacement in? As for Leon Best, sadly many posters predicted he would be a complete failure. The sale of Murphy with no replacement other than Best really sums up the current poor state of the club. A low quality cheap panic signing. Let's hope for a couple of million pounders before the deadline.

1

DurhamTownFan added 18:12 - Jan 26 Best was always a bit of a punt. There's a reason certain players move clubs a lot and I expect we've found out the same = bad apple? As for Berra-I'd sell now. His performances have been poor since we went to a back 3, but he continues to play because he's a MM favourite. Not going to help the team or the player to keep playing him out of form.
0

Terry_Nutkins added 18:26 - Jan 26 The swap deal was already very odd. We were never going to take a guy out for 9 months now although it seems from Mick not denying totally perhaps a deal will be done now but only in place from July?
0

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