Cliftonville manager insists Shamrock Rovers target Joe Gormley is not for sale

Barry Gray insists Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley is ‘not for sale’ as Shamrock Rovers, Crusaders and Larne are all linked with moves for the Belfast man.

28-year-old Gormley recently became the Reds’ all-time leading scorer, and stretched his tally to 180 as he notched during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Ards.

Newly-minted Larne, despite being in the second tier, have made several high-profile signings including striker Davy McDaid from Waterford and Fuad Sule from Barnet.

Rovers and Crusaders, on the other hand, can offer professional football, which Gormley experienced with Peterborough United before returning to Belfast for personal reasons.

A large bid would be required from any side, with high five-figure sums being mooted thusfar for a player who signed a three-year deal in the summer of 2017.

However Cliftonville manager Gray says neither he nor the player have any desire to see him anywhere other than at Solitude.

"Joe [Gormley] is not for sale,” Gray told the Northern Ireland Football League’s official website.

“It's the same as what I said last time. He doesn't want to leave, I don't want him to leave, and that's not going to change despite what speculation may be out there."

Cliftonville remain fourth in the Irish Premiership following a number of postponed games today, just seven points behind Ballymena United with 19 games played apiece.