Rumour - Aidan Connolly

[Sutekh]

YORK City starlet Aidan Connolly is beginning to attract Championship interest, but Bootham Crescent boss Jackie McNamara has insisted he’s not for sale.

Connolly, 21, was watched by Reading representatives as he scored twice during the Minstermen’s 4-0 home victory over Solihull Moors.

He also created Richard Brodie’s opening goal, taking his season’s contribution to six assists and three goals in seven outings following his summer switch from Raith Rovers.

Connolly was released by McNamara’s former club Dundee United in January but the Minstermen chief went calling for his services a second time and is in no mood to entertain approaches from possible suitors.

“The last thing I want to do is lose somebody like Aidan,” McNamara stressed. “He does look a level above everything that’s on the pitch at times with his vision, awareness and the way he uses his body, but he’s our player for the next two years and he won’t be going.

“Like many boys in our team, he’s had that bit of resentment and something to prove after being released in January, but he’s shown he’s ready to fight for his career and his all-round performances have been excellent. How he has settled in with his goals and creativity has been a massive plus for us.

“He could have had a hat-trick (against Solihull) and I’m delighted for him, because it was a big thing for him coming down here, but he’s showing how good he is and how influential he is for our side.”

Connolly struck twice in the last seven minutes against Solihull, either side of another late goal from substitute Scott Fenwick, with McNamara admitting the match should have been over as a contest a lot sooner.

“The game should have been wrapped up long before we got the second goal,” the City chief said. “Their keeper made a great save from Aidan (Connolly) and there were another three gilt-edged chances we didn’t take.

“Things are always nervous then, until you get that second or third goal, but we brought on an injection of pace and the lads who came on did very well so, character wise, I was delighted with how the players handled things. Kyle (Letheren) made a good save at 1-0 and they will have been given a lift when we weren’t taking our chances, but it was important mentally to get a clean sheet and I would be more concerned if we weren’t creating opportunities.

“We got a lift ourselves after our second goal and were clinical with our passing and finishing after then.”

McNamara went on to express his admiration for Brodie’s ability to score all kind of goals, as he added a header to his repertoire, having scored a penalty, a left-footed volley and two right-footed strikes in his previous four outings.

“He’s got five goals in five games and they’ve been varied to say the least,” the Minstermen boss enthused. “He got a great header after a good finish with his right foot last week and I’m as delighted as the fans to have him back at the club.”

[CornwallJon]

Misread that as Mistermen

[maffff]

He'll be here in January then.

[One8Seven1*]

Sounds promising.

[bluerinse]

he is non league- so we could sign him anytime if we wanted to.

[genome]

he is non league- so we could sign him anytime if we wanted to.

I don't think it works like that, the transfer window still applies to us, just not the non-league clubs.