ROSS COUNTY last night buried the hatchet with St Johnstone after paying compensation which allows Richard Brittain to remain in the Highlands next season.
Record Sport understands a fee of £40,000 has been agreed to bring an end to the pre-contract saga which threatened to tear the relationship between the two clubs apart.
It brought amicable closure to a lengthy row between County and the Perth side who were furious at Brittain’s decision to opt to remain with the Dingwall club despite signing a two-year-deal in January to make the switch to McDiarmid Park.
The 29-year-old’s failure to appear for the start of Saints pre-season training yesterday morning was compounded by the midfielder’s appearance with the Staggies as they returned from their summer break.
It was a no-show which triggered a no-holds-barred response from Perth boss Tommy Wright aimed at County boss Derek Adams who he believes was guilty of disregarding Brittain’s pre-contract agreement by registering the player with the SFA despite Saints lodging their own documentation with the SPL.
Wright said: “I’m disappointed but not surprised Richie hasn’t shown up. But the issue is now much wider than Richie Brittain and St Johnstone.
“The whole future of pre-contracts is under scrutiny here. But Derek says it’s okay because UEFA, FIFA and managers don’t like pre-contracts anyway.
“It’s good to see he’s become a spokesman for world football.
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“To put it politely, I am extremely disappointed any club would do what Ross County have done. I have never known a situation like this.
“It is the first day back for the new season and we should be talking about re-signing Paddy Cregg and the exciting prospect of Europa League games. Instead we are talking about the Brittain saga again. He’s certainly had his 15 minutes of fame.”
Brittain had recruited a team of employment law experts to fight his corner as the McDiarmid Park side dug their heels in over the issue which threatened to freeze the midfielder out of football.
County chairman Roy McGregor had nothing but praise for the Perth side after talks yesterday afternoon brought the stalemate to a conclusion and ensured the Staggies skipper continues his career in the Highlands.
He
said: “I can’t really say too much about the agreement that was reached
or if there was compensation involved. But Ross County are very
grateful to
St Johnstone for reaching an amicable resolution.
“It was not an easy situation for them as a club or us. It was just a very unfortunate scenario all round for everyone involved, including Richard.
“But St Johnstone have now cancelled the SPL element of his registration out of respect to the player. I can’t praise them highly enough for doing so.
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“It is a huge relief for everyone there has been no recourse to legal action.”
Brittain had made a plea for his pre-contract agreement plea to be ripped up for “family reasons” and he was backed by boss Adams who earlier in the day confirmed the player was very much part of his plans for next season.
St Johnstone have threatened to sue Brittain for breaching the terms of the pre-contract but the validity of those agreements is yet to be tested in the courts.
County have made it clear they would not pay a fee to buy-out the pre-contract, while also hinting they would demand a fee for Brittain’s registration should St Johnstone successfully reclaim the player.
But one of Scottish football’s most unusual spats is at an end. However, Saints boss Wright added: “Managers may not like pre-contracts but everyone now accepts it is part of the game. They can work for you and against you.”