The full list of players being released has just been posted on The Official St Mirren Website. In squad number order they are: Garry Brady (which we knew about anyway), John Potter, Craig Dargo, Gareth Wardlaw, Sean Lynch, Nick Hegarty, Jamie McCluskey and Paddy Cregg. Also leaving are youngsters Kyle Faulds, Ally Love and Mark McLennan (another we knew about).
Before we look into that, it means Paul Gallacher, David Barron, Lee Mair, Hugh Murray, Steven Thomson, Michael Higdon, Jim Goodwin, Craig Samson and Jure Travner have all been offered new deals. We'll come back to that later.
Of those leaving, the main surprises are Potter, Dargo and Goodwin. Potter has been the captain for the last three years and has been almost ever present in that time. The support is relatively split on Potter's ability (personally I don't think he is good enough) and it seems Lennon has decided the time has come for him to leave after six seasons, during which he helped us win the first division and League Challenge Cup.
Dargo has had injuries since he signed for us in 2007. When fit, he's a superb player - as we saw in the 4-0 rout of Celtic last season - but that didn't happen enough. Wardlaw has had a tough time of things since he arrived in the summer although he did score the goal that kept us up against Aberdeen on Tuesday night. Clearly, his former Cowdenbeath boss Danny Lennon doesn't think he has what it takes to stay in the SPL.
As for the rest: Lynch started the season well then did nothing; that applies to Lynch after he signed; McCluskey barely played then had that nonsensical dressing room TV incident and Hegarty was injured all the time. We already knew about Brady. It's no real surprise to see the three youngsters leave either as Lennon had them out on loan at various times.
There are no real surprises among the players Lennon wants to keep - although there may be a few eyebrows raised at Mair and Samson. The problem now is getting them to sign contracts - something that will almost certainly not happen with Higdon and Travner, and potentially Thomson and Gallacher too. If Higdon goes, it leaves us with just Paul McQuade and Jon McShane in the striking department - both of whom have been out on loan!
Still under contract for next year are David van Zanten, Darren McGregor, Marc McAusland, Kenny McLean, Jamie McKernon, Aaron Mooy and McShane.
It looks like being another exciting summer as Lennon crafts his squad. Next week (if I get time) I'll write in more detail about those who are leaving, before looking in more depth at the ones who are staying.
To those who are going - in particular Potter, Brady, Dargo and Wardlaw - thank you and good luck.
Story source: The Official St Mirren Website
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