Hughes on Corluka

For a manager who cultivates an image as a stern straight-talker, Mark Hughes is very good at being evasive when it suits him. Remember this? And in his time as City manager there have been occasions when he's used ambiguity to his advantage. I don't think this is a bad thing per se, Eriksson was very good at it, but it's interesting to see how at odds it is with his public image.

Today Hughes talked about Corluka, which is something we are all desperate to hear:

"There has been interest shown but he played well and I am pleased with him.

"There will always be speculation surrounding good players like him. He has had no contact with Spurs."

I mean, I have literally no idea what the precise implications of these statements are. If there has been interest shown but Corluka's had no contact with Spurs, does that mean a bid has been rejected? If so, why didn't he say 'we rejected a bid from Spurs?'. The 'there will always be speculation' line is such a cop out. Managers use it when they're being linked with jobs they want. And why the 'but' in the first sentence? Does he mean that the fact he played well and that Hughes is pleased with him means that Corluka is not for sale? Or what?