Dundee manager Gordon Chisholm gave his response to the club”s failure to get out of the first division by carrying out major surgery on his squad.
Chisholm cut deeply at Dens Park, telling 16 players they had no part in his plans as he prepares to launch another bid to reach the SPL next season.
There were certainly some surprises among that number. For example, central defender Jim Lauchlan went from collecting the club’s player of the year award at a ceremony on Sunday night to finding out he got the chop the following day.
Also, Chisholm informed three men Maros Klimpl, Richie Hart and Bryan Deasley who still have deals that they should find alternative employment.
Slovakian midfielder Klimpl arrived at Dens on a bumper three-year contract last summer after a successful stint in the SPL with Motherwell.
Hart, who still has a year of his contract to run, joined from Ross County after Dundee fended off interest from Partick Thistle for his services.
More predictably, on-loan trio Andrew Shinnie, Ben Hutchinson and Ryan O’Leary have been ordered back to Rangers, Celtic and Kilmarnock respectively, while Gary MacKenzie will head down to England to join MK Dons.
So the full list of those who have been shown the door or leaving anyway reads: Lauchlan, Klimpl, Hart, Deasley, Shinnie, Hutchinson, O’Leary, MacKenzie, Derek Soutar, Tony Bullock, Chris Casement, Bob Malcolm, Darren Young, David Cowan, Eddie Malone and Colin Cameron.
As well as informing those who were being axed, Chisholm also made it clear to those still on the books that they will need to up their game when they return from holiday.
Chisholm revealed he hated every minute of his task but insisted it was for the best.
“It is never an easy time because they are a good bunch of lads but I feel we need to freshen things up,” said the Dundee gaffer.
“I felt sorry for a few of them because they have been great pros and have shown a good attitude but this needs to be done.
“The club needs to progress so that means bringing in new faces. The squad was too big and I don’t want to be going with 30 players again next season. “I have told the lads who are still here that it is now up to them.” The Dark Blues, via benefactor Calum Melville, outspent every other team in division one last year, ultimately to little avail.
Eyebrows were raised when they handed out two and three-year contracts to some players while eventual champions Inverness Caley Thistle ran mainly on deals until the end of the campaign.
Chisholm said he is in favour of a more incentive-based system in what will be a buyers’ market this close season.Recession”Players are going to find that the recession is biting because football is being affected just like other business,” he said.
“Managers are cutting their squad sizes all over the country so there will be a lot of players on the market.
“I like having incentives i.e., do well for me and I will give you a new contract.
“Years ago everyone was handing out long deals but these days it just doesn’t happen because the game has changed.”
One player offered a new deal was 21-year-old goalkeeper John Gibson, who has impressed on loan to Elgin City this season. He will get his opportunity to back up Rab Douglas.
Dundee will also recall striker Mickael Antoine-Curier from his loan at Hamilton Accies.
Meanwhile, Bob Brannan is to step down as Dundee chairman but plans to continue as a director.