Alex McLeish admits interest in Irish midfielder Keith Fahey

Nov 21 2008 By Colin Tattum

ALEX McLeish has admitted his interest in Irish star Keith Fahey for the first time.

He insisted that Blues had not made a reported offer worth 500,000 euros, backing up the denial of the midfielder's club, St Patrick's Athletic.

But the Blues boss conceded that the mercurial Fahey, the PFAI player-of-the-year, was under serious consideration.

"Fahey, we've made inquiries about him now," said McLeish today. "There's nothing I can tell you about offers but we have certainly taken it to an inquiry.

"At this stage I don't like to say how optimistic or pessimistic I am. When I have got something to say, I'll let you know.

"He's had a good season for St Pat's and he looks a decent player."

The 25-year-old Dubliner is a former Arsenal trainee who also had a short spell with Villa before heading back home.

Joint first team coach Roy Aitken recently paid a visit to Inchicore to watch Fahey in action.

It was then said that Blues offered St Pat's £2500,000 down, plus further payments on games taking the total package to £420,000.

Richie Sadlier, St Pat's chief operating officer, dismissed this, but has said that they wont stand in Fahey's way should their valuation be met.

McLeish - who revealed that Nigel Quashie's loan from West Ham United was to be extended by another month - has had his scouts eyeing a host of players with a view to the January transfer window, and beyond.