Gillingham have had two bids turned down for Ross County striker Ronan Hale.
The Gills are hunting for extra firepower, and Northern Ireland international Hale is on their radar – as confirmed at a Ross County fans’ Q&A this week.
Hale, 27, has scored 12 goals for the Scottish Championship side this season and was back in their team on Saturday after missing a couple of games wth a virus. He came off the bench in their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish FA Cup.
Ross County were relegated from the Scottish Premiership last season, but Hale still managed 17 goals, which attracted the attention of several English clubs in the summer, but he stayed put.
Hale is keen on playing in England and Gillingham’s interest in the striker was confirmed by the club’s chief executive, Steven Ferguson.
He told supporters at an open meeting that Hale wants to explore an opportunity to play in England.
Ferguson said: “The situation with Ronan is no secret. Gillingham have put an offer in for him, and we have turned it down twice.
“Do I think it’s finished? Probably not, but our stance has been really clear, and we’ve explained that to Ronan.
“Ronan would like to further his career. There is no problem with Ronan, he’s not decrying the club, but he would like to explore an opportunity to play in England.
“With 18 months left on his contract, we are very clear that if that was to happen, it would happen on our terms.
“We have been clear that we would need to be completely happy that our house is in order to let that happen.
“Ronan has done exceptionally well here. He has 30 goals, but I have to be honest that the pull of England is unbelievable.
“It’s like the holy grail. It doesn’t matter how attractive Scottish clubs can make it for them, the pull is England.
“We have rejected two bids and if anything was to happen, it would be on Ross County’s terms.”
