Brian McDermott insisted that Ross McCormack is not for sale, however admits it is up to Middlesbrough if they want to bid for him again.

McCormack turned in a sparkling performance during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, including a stunning solo goal which earned him a man-of-the-match bottle of bubbly.

However McCormack seemed to put his future on ice by insisting his future was in the hands of "those guys" nodding towards the Directors Box, insisting he would "let his football do the talking" and although he loved it at Leeds he was "flattered" by the interest in him.

Following today's heroics then Leeds surely must be bracing themselves for an improved offer from Teeside.

Speaking to Sky Sports after today's game, Brian McDermott admitted he had snubbed "two or three" offers for the striker but appeared to leave the door ajar for more interest from the Smoggies?

“I want him to score those goals in August, July, September, any time because that’s what football’s all about - that bit of quality,” McDermott said.

“I said to the lads at half-time, let’s not wait for anything, let’s grab it, someone grab it and he certainly did that.

“It was a fabulous goal.

“We’ve turned down two or three bids and you know my view, that’s not changed.

“I’ve spoken to Ross and you saw the quality that he brings.

“You saw his celebration as well. He loves this football club and I like working with him.”

On Boro's interest, McDermott said: “That’s up to them, they can do what they like.

“As far as I’m concerned, Ross wants to be here, I want him to be here, that’s their prerogative to do what they like."

It makes you shudder that little over a year ago Leeds agreed to sell McCormack to Crystal Palace for £800,000 but backed out at the last minute, that's £500,000 less than the best bid we have rejected from Boro so far!

Hopefully the men in suits, if they did not already know it, will realise how important McCormack's contribution is to Brian McDermott's work-in-progress and will keep turning Tony Mowbray's attempts to take him north.

Photo: Action Images

Colchester United Polls