Linfield manager David Healy has said that they won't be forced into cheap sales after rejecting summer interest for right-back Trai Hume, who was reportedly a transfer target for Celtic.

The Lowdown: Highly-rated man

The Hoops and English side Lincoln City were both linked with a move for the highly-rated teenager late in the transfer window, with bids rejected for Hume, who can also play as a centre-back.

Following a loan spell with Ballymena United, where he scored five goals and set up another five in 34 appearances, the 19-year-old was denied the chance to move elsewhere by Linfield as offers in excess of £100,000 were rejected.

With Josip Juranovic out injured, Anthony Ralston has been Ange Postecoglou's number one pick at right-back for their opening few games of the season.

The Latest: Healy remains firm

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Healy delved into the situation regarding the teenager and Celtic.

The Linfield boss said: "With our valuation of the player, it was a million miles away. Trai is still developing and in need of experience and games.

"He still needs to gather minutes. He will do that over the period of time that he remains at our football club, unless somebody who values the player properly comes in.

“One thing we don’t want to do is stand in anybody’s way but we don’t want to devalue our football club."

Healy continued: "We want to put a marker down whereby we say to clubs if you want our players, gone are the days when you give us a £1,000 development fee for a 16-year-old who we feel in two years’ time could be worth £50,000 or £100,000. Those days are long gone."

The Verdict: Hardball for Hume

Healy's comments certainly won't go down well with Celtic, who will now need to put a good offer on the table for Linfield to take seriously.

With Lincoln unlikely to be able to compete with the Hoops financially, if the Parkhead club can offer the money demanded by the Northern Ireland champions, hopefully it won't be long until the versatile defender moves to Glasgow.

In other news, one former Celtic striker has made a claim about Jota. Find out more here.