We’re desperate for McCormack to stay - Varney
YEP 26/8/13
by Phil Hay
Luke Varney made an impassioned plea for Leeds United and Ross McCormack to stay together beyond the end of the transfer window after a timely McCormack goal earned a 2-1 win at Ipswich Town.
Varney warned that McCormack’s departure in the next seven days would be to the “massive detriment” of Leeds following a strong start to the season which has seen McCormack score three times and United climb into the Championship’s top six.
McCormack’s second-half strike was the difference between Leeds and Ipswich at Portman Road, sealing United’s first victory at the stadium since 2001, and the club were set to resume contract talks with the striker’s representatives today after a spate of unsuccessful offers from Middlesbrough.
Boro have made three bids for McCormack – all of them rejected – and Leeds reacted to the most recent approach by opening discussions with him about an improved and extended deal at Elland Road.
The 27-year-old is already tied to United until 2015 but Boro’s persistence has created uncertainty about McCormack’s position with the summer transfer window entering its most frantic and unpredictable stage.
Varney, who claimed United’s first goal at Portman Road, said: “It’s completely up to Ross but we’re all desperate for him to stay. It would be to the massive detriment to the team if he leaves now. I’m sure the gaffer’s desperate for him to stay too. We all are because he’s a great part of our team. With the start we’ve had it would be a huge disappointment to lose him now. Hopefully September comes quick, we keep this squad and get a couple of additions. We’ve started really well.”
McCormack scored four minutes after half-time at Portman Road, winning a tight match after Varney replied to a 12th-minute strike from Ipswich’s David McGoldrick.
Leeds have taken eight points from their first four league fixtures and will round off the opening month of the term with a League Cup tie at Doncaster Rovers tomorrow and a Championship clash with Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Varney said: “We can push on now. We’ve shown our resilience, we feel different to last season and we’ve got a great spirit. We’re getting results.
Luke Varney made an impassioned plea for Leeds United and Ross McCormack to stay together beyond the end of the transfer window after a timely McCormack goal earned a 2-1 win at Ipswich Town.
Varney warned that McCormack’s departure in the next seven days would be to the “massive detriment” of Leeds following a strong start to the season which has seen McCormack score three times and United climb into the Championship’s top six.
McCormack’s second-half strike was the difference between Leeds and Ipswich at Portman Road, sealing United’s first victory at the stadium since 2001, and the club were set to resume contract talks with the striker’s representatives today after a spate of unsuccessful offers from Middlesbrough.
Boro have made three bids for McCormack – all of them rejected – and Leeds reacted to the most recent approach by opening discussions with him about an improved and extended deal at Elland Road.
The 27-year-old is already tied to United until 2015 but Boro’s persistence has created uncertainty about McCormack’s position with the summer transfer window entering its most frantic and unpredictable stage.
Varney, who claimed United’s first goal at Portman Road, said: “It’s completely up to Ross but we’re all desperate for him to stay. It would be to the massive detriment to the team if he leaves now. I’m sure the gaffer’s desperate for him to stay too. We all are because he’s a great part of our team. With the start we’ve had it would be a huge disappointment to lose him now. Hopefully September comes quick, we keep this squad and get a couple of additions. We’ve started really well.”
McCormack scored four minutes after half-time at Portman Road, winning a tight match after Varney replied to a 12th-minute strike from Ipswich’s David McGoldrick.
Leeds have taken eight points from their first four league fixtures and will round off the opening month of the term with a League Cup tie at Doncaster Rovers tomorrow and a Championship clash with Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Varney said: “We can push on now. We’ve shown our resilience, we feel different to last season and we’ve got a great spirit. We’re getting results.