FORMER European champions Nottingham Forest have had a bid turned down for county footballing ace Matthew Knox this week.

The 16-year-old, currently on the books of Livingston, was subject to a bid from the English Championship club on Monday, after spending last week on trial with Manchester United.

Robert Wilson, interim Livi chairman, said that the club had turned down the Forest offer and hoped to keep their prize asset teenager.

He said: “We don’t want to sell him.

“We’ve knocked back Forest’s offer but there might still be some more bids to come in for him.

"He’s only 16 and I think you’ve got to remember that. We want him to have a future here.”

Knox, a former Preston Lodge High School pupil, signed professional terms with Livingston on turning 16 last month.

And days later he made his competitive debut, becoming the club's youngest-ever player at just 16 years and four days, in the Boxing Day win over St Mirren.

His dad, also Matthew, told Courier Sport there had been "a lot of interest" in his highly-rated son.

Matthew Senior said: "I can't really say too much at the moment – there are still a few days left [of the transfer window].

"There has been a lot of interest, but that's about all I can say.

"I think Livingston are looking to hold on to him until the summer – it's all going mad for us just now."

The 16-year-old scored past World Cup winner Victor Valdes during his trial at Manchester United last week.

Matthew Junior, a Celtic fan, has also trained with English Premier League clubs Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham, where he scored in a North London derby training match against Arsenal.