‘I’m only focused on the football’: McCann dismisses takeover talk

UNCONCERNED BY SPECULATION: Grant McCann. Picture by Hull City

Hull City manager Grant McCann says he will not be distracted by speculation over a possible takeover of the club as he prepares his side for a key Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United on Saturday.

The Tigers welcome their county rivals to the MKM Stadium tomorrow looking for a first league win in seven, and hoping to avoid a club record of failing to score in the same number of games.

McCann’s men have failed to find the net in the Sky Bet Championship since the opening day win at Preston last month.

Off the pitch, talk has increased about a rumoured sale of the club to Turkish TV mogul Acun Iliaci.

Asked at a press conference today whether he was worried the issue could become a distraction to matters on the field, McCann said: “Not really my concern. Personally I am only focused on the football team. That’s probably a question for Ehab [Allam, vice-chairman] or Assem [Allam, owner and chairman].

“For me, all I can do is focus on the day-to-day, the football side of the business, and making sure we try and turn some of these clean sheets we’ve had against Bournemouth and Swansea into some, you know, really good defensive performances, but with a win and some goals.”

The City boss said he had not been spoken to by the owners about any such takeover, and had not asked about it himself.

Mike White, from BBC Radio Humberside, asked him: “The man in question spoke about wanting to bring in Turkish players and coaches. How did that leave you feeling, to hear that?”

McCann replied: “Again, I‘m here, I’m enjoying it here, the team’s enjoying it, the coaches are enjoying it; it’s none of my concern.

BACK IN TRAINING: Influential midfielder George Honeyman. Picture by Hull City

“If it happens, it happens further down the line, it is what it is, and at the minute I’m really enjoying being here.

“Them sort of questions are probably best aimed at Ehab and the hierarchies at the football club rather than me. I‘m here to focus on the football.”

On the pitch, McCann said influential midfielder George Honeyman was close to a recall, but a decision would be made after the press conference whether he would be included in the squad to face the Blades.

McCann said Honeyman has had a good week training, but suggested that might not be enough to bring him back into contention.

Asked what the stumbling block might be, McCann said: “He’s only had a week’s training with the group. He’s been out for about eight-and-a-half, nine weeks, so we’ve got to be careful. He’s such an important player for us, influential player.”

The Tigers boss said Tyler Smith, the former Sheffield United forward, was likely to feature against his old club, whether that was from the start or off the bench.

Asked if he would get the chance to face the club he left just last month, McCann said: “I’m sure he will at some point.”

The Blades represent another stern test for City, with McCann estimating the South Yorkshire side, which dropped out of the Premier League last season, had cost between £150m and £200m to build.

Between 14,000 and 15,000 fans are expected to to watch the clash, with about 4,000 travelling from Sheffield.

City lie just one place above the relegation zone in 21st, with tomorrow’s visitors just a point and two places above them.