The tranny has a shaft that goes thru the clutch. It has a bearing on it. When the pedal is OUT the clutch is engaged and the shaft turns. If the bearing is bad the noise should be made then and also at times when the vehicle is MOVING. The throwout bearing will make noise when the pedal is pushed IN. If the throwout bearing is real bad it CAN make noise at all times or at ANY time.
I would purchase a clutch kit and take it apart. When the tranny is out I would do what I needed to ascertain the input bearing was good and the throwout bearing was bad..
For sure I would not take anyones word for it that was NOT a personal friend.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />