Gillingham Manager Andy Hessenthaler has criticised his Swindon counterpart Paolo Di Canio after the Italian admitted an interest in Gills winger Luke Rooney.
Swindon boss Di Canio was quoted by the Swindon Advertiser saying: “In my opinion Rooney, even if he can sometimes lose discipline, is one player I like, but I can’t say much more because I don’t know what the situation is at Gillingham.
“He is one of three or four wingers I would have, even if I have very good wingers here already.”
Di Canio’s comments were frostily received by Hessenthaler who told BBC Radio Kent: “I’m certainly not a manager who will talk about other teams’ players who are under contract.
“I’m disappointed he’s talking about Luke, that’s not my style.”
The 20 year-old has been left out of the Gills squad after failing to agree a new deal with the club.
Hessenthaler was keen to emphasise that Rooney was still under contract with Gillingham until the end of the season.
“Luke is still our player, we believe we’ve made him a good offer, but we’ve reached a stalemate,”
“This is the stance me and the chairman and I have decided to take on him at the moment, we hope things will change.”
Rooney, who joined Gillingham as an Apprentice in 2007 has made close to 60 appearances for the club since signing professional terms in 2009.
