Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Richard Brittain wants out of Saints deal
ROSS COUNTY captain Richard Brittain has stunned St Johnstone by asking them to rip up their pre-contract agreement.
The midfielder signed a two-year deal with the Perth club that was due to kick in at the end of the season, but he has had a change of heart and now wants his registration cancelled.
Brittain and his representative have been in contact with Saints chairman Steve Brown to inform him of the change of heart. The 29-year-old now wants to remain at Europa League-chasing County, although officials at the Dingwall club have denied a counter-offer has been made.
Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor was on holiday when Brittain signed his pre-contract in January and is believed to have been furious when he heard the news. He has been working behind the scenes to convince the player to stay.
We expect Richard to be a St Johnstone player next season.
If Brittain stands firm on his U-turn decision, County would need to pay a transfer fee to keep their captain.
St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas wants to meet Brittain this week to try to persuade him his future lies at McDiarmid Park.
Lomas said: “As far as I am concerned, Richard Brittain has signed a pre-contract with us and will come to St Johnstone. We have lodged the papers and done everything by the book and we expect Richard to be a St Johnstone player next season.”
Brittain has netted eight goals this season to help the Staggies reach the top six in their top-flight debut.
He started his career with Livingston before joining St Mirren in the summer of 2006 and then moving on to the Dingwall side two years later.