Crewe opt against Hibs stopper
Crewe have shelved plans to sign Northern Ireland international Colin Murdock.
Crewe Alexandra have shelved plans to sign Northern Ireland international Colin Murdock from Hibernian.The Championship club were considering a loan until the end of the season for the defender, who is out of the first team picture at Easter Road.
Murdock has not featured for Hibs in the past two months and that was a factor in Crewe boss Dario Gradi ditching his interest.
Gradi admits he was tempted to sign the 29-year-old for the remainder of the campaign but felt it would have been too much of a risk.
"We were interested in taking Colin Murdock on loan until the end of the season but because he hasn't been playing for Hibs we were not prepared to risk it," Gradi told the club's official website.
"The reports we had on him were encouraging and he would have done a job but I would much rather pay for someone who we will be totally sure about rather than take a gamble.
"We would have had to decide before the weekend about Colin because the window closes on international players.
"Colin was keen to come here but we have run out of time with it because of the transfer window."
