Collymore says he is sorry over outburst

NICK DUXBURY

Stan Collymore yesterday emerged from the headmaster's study to apologise for letting down Liverpool by going into print about his unhappiness at the Anfield academy.

Collymore, at pounds 8.5m the most expensive player in Britain, had a two-hour meeting with his manager, Roy Evans, to discuss comments made to the magazine Four-Four-Two in which the player said he would rather quit football than spend two years in the reserves.

The outcome was a statement - read out by Evans, who was criticised by the striker in the article -that Collymore "would like to take this opportunity to apologise to everybody connected with Liverpool, including the supporters, for what on reflection has proved to be a damaging article. The interview was given in good faith to a professional journalist but I feel the essence of our interview and my feelings towards Liverpool and the game in general did not come across in the manner in which I intended."

A chastened Collymore is now "determined to share in and be a part of the future of this great club". Evans insisted that the matter would be dealt with internally and Collymore had not been transfer-listed. He refused to say if he faced disciplinary action.

"I still think Stan can be a major force in our team," Evans said. "He's got to get on with his game. I don't think Stan for one minute believes he's bigger than the club. Some of his ideas did not come across well in black and white."

Paul Ince is to meet Massimo Moratti, the president of Internazionale, today and unless the former Manchester United midfielder spells out his commitment to the Italian giants he could be on his way to either Newcastle or Arsenal.

"I expect what he will want to hear is that Paul is desperate to help Inter win things and wants to pledge his soul to the Inter cause," Roy Hodgson, the club's manager, said.

Tomas Brolin has denied that his transfer to Leeds United from Parma was signed and sealed. "I don't know why they said that," Brolin said after the Italian club had indicated that a deal was imminent. "First, the clubs are not yet in agreement. Secondly I have not yet fixed up with Leeds."

Bolton yesterday dismissed reports that their striker John McGinlay is moving to Celtic as "pure speculation". Glasgow's other team, Rangers, have paid Morton pounds 300,000 for the midfielder, Derek McInnes.

Last night's football, page 26