KEITH Hill says there will be no hard feelings over Liam Bridcutt’s decision to pick Lincoln City over Bolton Wanderers.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder was offered the chance to spend the second half of the season at the UniBol but opted to stay closer to his home in the East Midlands and join the Imps instead.

Hill eventually signed Jacob Mellis on a short-term deal, Rochdale defender Ryan Delaney on an 18-month contract, and Tottenham winger Anthony Georgiou on loan.

“Liam wanted to go Lincoln, it was as simple as that,” the manager told The Bolton News.

“We had a conversation and he explained his reasons why, and they will remain private, but he wanted to go there.

“He had a great time here and he’ll always be welcomed back.”

Hill says he was glad to see the back of the January window – and feels that the 2-0 win against Tranmere points the way to a strong finish to the season.

“It has been the longest month and the hardest month I have ever experienced in football,” he said.

“I couldn’t tell you where we started or where we finished but there was a sigh of relief knowing that this is where we can really build now for the next 18 games.

“There’s nobody asking me questions about their future, nobody looking over their shoulder or getting phone calls from their agent or other clubs.

“Vice-versa we have recruited and retained and I am happy with the squad.

“It has been even harder because the results have not been good, some of the performances have not been good, but that one reflects the way we want to do things.”