Mick McCarthy has responded vehemently to criticism from north of the border over his decision not to sign Rangers’ striker Alan Gow.

Rangers’ assistant manager Ally McCoist was reported in the Glasgow press at the weekend saying he could not understand why Wolves had decided against the £250,000-rated Scottish Premier League player.

But the Wolves boss has defended his decision, made after advice from his medical team, who found a slight muscle tear on Gow’s hip when they scanned the player as part of his pre-transfer medical.

The comments from Rangers have angered McCarthy who drew the analogy of going ahead with the move against medical advice to that of buying a faulty car.

He said: “I don’t like people suggesting there was anything. What I am telling you is how it is and what I am telling you is fact.

“We know that a scan was done on his hamstring and a labrum tear was found which we know will require surgery – not now, not at this moment in time – he can carry on playing, but it will need work.

“It is like me buying a new BMW and the engine is rattling. I could say, well it is okay for now, until I get down the motorway with the wife and kids in the car and then it breaks down. Then that is great isn’t it!”

McCarthy added: “I have tried to sign Alan – and he knows this – before he went to Rangers.

“I really wanted to sign him so why would I not go for it?

“I have got him here and the medical done so why would I not do it?

“There would have to be a pretty good reason. This does my head in.”

The Yorkshireman continued: “Alan fully understood and there are no issues with it.

“I can’t understand why anyone would try and suggest otherwise.

“We have actually done Alan a favour because having found it now he can have it done and he could be back for the next half of the season and come back better still. He wants to go and have his treatment.”

McCarthy, who takes his side to St Andrew’s to face Birmingham City in the FA Cup third round tonight, added: “Alan and I are good friends and Walter Smith and I am very good friends.”

McCoist was quoted as saying he could not understand Wolves’ decision.

“It’s bizarre,” he said. “Wolves have carried out the medical and something has influenced their decision.

“We have to respect that but Alan has never missed training here or at Blackpool where he is on loan.

“I feel sorry for Alan,” he said.