Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey insists the Sky Blues will be doing everything in their power to keep talismanic captain Leroy Millar.
He also hit out at keyboard warriors who have criticised the Braid club for lacking the “ambition” to retain the services of key players.
Millar, who scored the winner in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Warrenpoint Town at the Showgrounds, is out of contract in the summer.
A number of clubs have been monitoring the 26-year-old but Larne are thought to be at the front of the queue for the midfielder’s signature.
Asked for an update on Millar’s situation, Jeffrey said: “The reality is we know of the interest from other clubs but make absolutely no mistake, it is the club’s desire to keep Leroy here.
“All we can do is give our very best offer and we’ve already approached Leroy about extending his contract. We very much want him to be here, but ultimately it is not in my gift.
“Ultimately it will be down to the player and that is the nature of the market.”
While United have lost a number of high profile stars to full-time clubs in recent times, Jeffrey railed against the notion that it's because of a ‘lack of ambition’.
Rather he pointed to the obvious lure of players pursuing a full-time career and securing the kind of wages full-time football often deliver.
Earlier this month, Jude Winchester departed for Crusaders after the player acknowledged Ballymena had made him a “brilliant offer” to stay.
Shay McCartan and Kofi Balmer also left in the summer to pursue full-time football with Glentoran and Larne respectively, although McCartan’s sale saw United pocket a cool £120,000.
Strikers Adam Lecky and Johnny McMurray also left the Braid club in 2019 and 2020 respectively after being offered full-time football elsewhere.
“I’m sick, sore and tired of people talking about Ballymena not having ambition or lacking the ambition to keep certain players,” said Jeffrey.
“The reality is Shay McCartan wanted to leave Ballymena United and Jude Winchester wanted to leave Ballymena United.
“Adam Lecky also wanted to leave Ballymena United and Jonathan McMurray wanted to leave Ballymena United.
“The reality is we cannot compete with full-time clubs or the lure of full-time football for those players who wish to go full-time.
“All we can do is make the best possible offer, but ultimately it is down to the player. People have got to get their head around that.”
Millar, who has made 218 appearances for Ballymena since making his debut in 2013, pounced for his third goal of the season against Warrenpoint.
Racing onto a David Parkhouse flick-on, the skipper drilled a vicious shot past teenage Town keeper Stephen McMullan to secure a 1-0 win.
“Leroy wasn’t out of isolation until Friday and due to Covid he wasn’t available for the game against Linfield at Windsor last week,” said Jeffrey.
“I thought he was magnificent in how he led the side against Warrenpoint.
"His performance was certainly worthy of a man who is the captain of his hometown club.”
Meanwhile, Ballymena striker David Parkhouse is set to miss Tuesday night’s visit to Carrick Rangers after sustaining a hamstring injury in Saturday’s win over Warrenpoint.
