Fran Sandaza hopes St Johnstone fans won’t judge the team, or him, on their post-split performances.
It has been a depressing end to the season for Saints, who lost all five top-six matches.
And for the Spaniard it has been a trying time personally, after he was sent off against Dundee United, banned for three games, and then ended up in Perth Sheriff Court for drink-driving.
The club’s top scorer, who waved farewell to the McDiarmid Park fans after Sunday’s defeat to Rangers, said: ”It was really disappointing and not the way I wanted to say goodbye.
”We had a couple of chances in the first half and I had one later.
”My dad saw it on television in Spain and said my goal was onside and shouldn’t have been disallowed.
”It was my last game for St Johnstone and I wanted to say goodbye with a goal.
”It has been a very successful year for myself and for the club. When I came here the objective was to get into the top six and we have done that.”‘A bad time’He added: ”Everyone makes mistakes in life and I did that with the red card and the drink-driving. That was a bad time.
”But if you say you don’t make mistakes in life you are a liar. Okay, I was wrong, but I have taken my punishment.
”I got a three-game ban for the red card and I feel that was too much. But we have not been treated well this season.
”Referees have given bad decisions against us and none of the players or the manager got awards during the year. That is so unfair.
”The last few games haven’t been good, that’s for sure. But fans should not have short memories because of the results after the split. They should think of the good games over the whole season.
”Now I hope Hearts beat Hibs so the club gets into Europe.”Interest overseasSandaza said: ”Derek McInnes and Steve Lomas are both good managers and I am grateful to them for giving me my chance.
”I also want to thank the club and the supporters.
”I will always love the club and who knows, maybe I will come back one day. Never say never.
”This has been my best season in first-team football.”
Hercules in Spain have shown an interest in Sandaza but have not made a firm offer yet.
He said: ”Clubs in Cyprus and Greece have made offers through my agent. There is also some interest in the Championship but nothing has been sorted yet.”