Hughes still angry with Bellamy move
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Blackburn boss Mark Hughes still feels aggrieved at the contract clause that resulted in Craig Bellamy's exit over the summer.
Bellamy should line up against his former club at Anfield on Saturday, depending on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's now infamous squad rotation policy.
Hughes signed the striker for £5million, but only on the condition a clause was inserted that would allow Bellamy to leave if another club offered £6million.
"Obviously Craig leaving was a blow to us when it happened," said Hughes. "But if that clause had not been put in then he wouldn't have come and Craig would not have had a great season here.
"That's the situation we found ourselves in. To get a player of his quality, we had to make sure we did everything in our power.
"In doing so, we had to allow a clause we weren't too comfortable with. We hoped it wouldn't be invoked, but unfortunately it was."
Hughes, though, has nothing but praise for Bellamy, who was a key figure in Rovers' finishing a remarkable sixth in the Premiership and so qualifying for this season's UEFA Cup.
"I was extremely pleased with the way he conducted himself here and the way he played for the team," added Hughes.
"I know in recent weeks he has had a little bit of criticism, with some people trying to say he was a problem for me, but that was not the case.
"Every day in training he was excellent, always looking to improve himself. As a professional he was first rate."
Bellamy should line up against his former club at Anfield on Saturday, depending on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's now infamous squad rotation policy.
Hughes signed the striker for £5million, but only on the condition a clause was inserted that would allow Bellamy to leave if another club offered £6million.
"Obviously Craig leaving was a blow to us when it happened," said Hughes. "But if that clause had not been put in then he wouldn't have come and Craig would not have had a great season here.
"That's the situation we found ourselves in. To get a player of his quality, we had to make sure we did everything in our power.
"In doing so, we had to allow a clause we weren't too comfortable with. We hoped it wouldn't be invoked, but unfortunately it was."
Hughes, though, has nothing but praise for Bellamy, who was a key figure in Rovers' finishing a remarkable sixth in the Premiership and so qualifying for this season's UEFA Cup.
"I was extremely pleased with the way he conducted himself here and the way he played for the team," added Hughes.
"I know in recent weeks he has had a little bit of criticism, with some people trying to say he was a problem for me, but that was not the case.
"Every day in training he was excellent, always looking to improve himself. As a professional he was first rate."
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