John Hughes: I convinced Tansey to snub Aberdeen move

Inverness manager John Hughes has declared he convinced Greg Tansey to rebuff Aberdeen.

Aberdeen were baffled at being denied the chance to speak to Tansey despite submitting a £200,000 offer that they were told by his agent would trigger a release clause in his contract.

Dons boss Derek McInnes called for an investigation into the affair but Inverness issued a statement on Wednesday claiming that Tansey had elected to stay in the Highlands.

And Hughes believes his relationship with the midfielder was vital.

I spoke to Greg Tansey, and had the boxing gloves on,'' joked Hughes, whose team continue their William Hill Scottish Cup defence at Motherwell on Saturday.

But Greg knows he is a very big part of this football club and it was important he stayed at this moment. He is still under contract, no matter what you are hearing.

The most important thing was everything was done above board. It was just about us convincing Greg Tansey that this is the right place for him at this moment. And we did that.

Greg is a lovely kid and I think he has great trust in myself that I know what's best for him, and right at this time it's playing his football at Inverness. He has won a Scottish Cup here and why not go and do that again?''

Hughes is confident Tansey will not be affected by the furore going into the Fir Park clash.

He said: Greg Tansey is our player and we've got every right, no matter what happens and what you might hear, to try to keep our player, and that's what we did.

We put up the fight and we told him how much we value him. It just so happened that I woke up after the window closed and Greg Tansey was still an Inverness player.

And I think we had to show the supporters that we are not just going to roll over and get our belly tickled. Although everything for me was above board, you have every right to fight to keep your players at your club.

The banter has been fantastic with the boys in the dressing room. He has been taking a bit of a ribbing but he has been training absolutely fantastic. I spoke to him at length and he is just getting on with his football.''

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