Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Cliftonville boss in 'Dubai sheikh' quip as he doubles down on Sean Moore stance

Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin joked that the only chance of Sean Moore leaving Solitude this month is if a Dubai sheikh splashes the cash for the teenager.

Speculation continues to mount over the future of the 17-year-old who scored in Saturday's 4-0 win over Ballymena United.

A number of clubs in England and Scotland are monitoring the teen's progress in North Belfast, but McLaughlin insists he is confident his young star will remain at the cub beyond the January transfer window.

Read more: Irish Premiership RECAP as Cliftonville and Linfield continue title surge

McLaughlin told BBC Sportsound: "I can understand the interest in Sean and the attention on him, because he is a class act and one of the best young players you will see coming out of the Irish League in a long time.

"We are very blessed to have him. He loves his football here and he loves what he is doing here.

"He knows how important it it for his development into a top player is to stay where he is, and there will be nobody leaving this club this side of Monday. Not a chance.

"I will make sure that happens, and I will make sure Sean Moore is still here come February 1...not unless there is some sheikh in Dubai wanting to empty his bank account.

"But Sean won't be leaving. His stock is rising, and rightly so. His performance here today again shows what all the fuss is about."

Moore was on target in the 4-0 win over Ballymena United, with Joe Gormley also bagging two goals and Ronan Hale on target to keep the Reds top of the table.

The teenage winger's stock is on the rise following a series of blistering displays for the Reds this season.

McLaughlin added: "He is a class act and he keeps getting better and getter. He is playing with maturity beyond his years and it is important we keep him here after this window and beyond.

"But come the summer it will be hard to control that and hard to stave off the interest.

"But I am doing everything I can to make sure he doesn't leave in this window and I am confident he will still be a Cliftonville player come February 1."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.