MacKay confirms Smith bids

Hornets boss wants to keep start striker

Last updated: 2nd July 2009  

MacKay confirms Smith bids

MacKay: Determined to keep Smith

Bids have come in that the club have turned down so far because they have been nowhere near where we value him.

MacKay on Smith
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Watford manager Malky MacKay insists he is not looking to cash in on Tommy Smith this summer.

The 29-year-old has been the subject of two bids this close season, one reportedly from ex-Hornets manager Brendan Rodgers who is now with Reading.

Smith, who is a fans' favourite at Vicarage Road after amassing over 250 league appearances for the club in two spells, is rated by MacKay as one of the best players in the Championship.

MacKay knows the striker well from his time with the club and insists that unless Watford's valuation is matched then he will remain at Vicarage Road.

Bids rejected

"We do want to keep Tommy. Bids have come in that the club have turned down so far because they have been nowhere near where we value him," he told Sky Sports News.

"I personally value him as one of the top three footballers in the Championship. I've worked against him and worked with him and as a coach watching him every day for the last two-and-a-half years.

"I know the levels that the guy works at, trains at and plays at. I know them as a person and the type of guy he is. I value him as one of the top three players in the league in terms of him scoring goals and creating goals.

"I don't think there's too many in the league like him. That being the case it'll take a certain amount of money to shift him from this football club."