McCarthy puts an end to Julio transfer rumours

Mick McCarthy has again stressed that he has no intention of selling Julio Arca, despite current transfer gossip linking the player with Celtic.

The gaffer says he met Bhoys' boss Martin O'Neill - himself the subject of a speculative link to the Liverpool manager's job - at the end of December, but a move for Arca was NOT on the agenda.

Mick today sought to put an end to speculation about Julio moving north of the border, and put Sunderland supporters' minds at ease by saying "As far as I'm concerned, he is not going anywhere. Somebody would have to tell me above my head that it's different, but that has not been suggested at all. He is staying here.

"I don't doubt that teams are fancying him because if I was watching him I'd fancy him as well. If I was Martin I'd want Julio - but he has never mentioned it.

"I had a cup of tea with him when I was up in Glasgow before New Year's Eve, but we have not talked about him trying to sign Julio.

Recent speculation has linked Arca with a move to join former Sunderland defender Stanislav Varga at Celtic Park, in a swap move with Stephen Crainey coming south to the Stadium of Light, and also the possibility of Michael Gray spending the remainder of this season with O'Neill's team.

But again, McCarthy denied the reports. "We have not talked about him trying to sign Julio, nor did we talk about Michael Gray going back there - or me trying to get Stephen Crainey.

"Julio is involved in a game against Nottingham Forest at the weekend and that's the end of it."