ST JOHNSTONE manager Steve Lomas has stressed the value of goal-scoring midfielders, just as he all but resigns himself to losing two of his own.
Murray Davidson and Liam Craig will almost certainly be playing their football elsewhere next season, while the former could even move in this transfer window if a bid comes in for him.
Ideally, Lomas would love them to stay put but he knows that reality will probably dictate otherwise.
If, or when, they do head through the exit door, though, they will both leave with their heads held high, knowing they have given Saints excellent service.
They will also leave a massive hole at the heart of the team, albeit Saints have already taken steps to rebuild by signing Ross County captain Richie Brittain on a pre-contract and are also chasing his Dingwall teammate Iain Vigurs.
Lomas certainly appreciates the value of players like Davidson and Craig and cited the example of a certain England star who also looks odd-on to be leaving his club.
“Goalscoring midfielders are hard to come by,” said Lomas.
“It is vital midfielders chip in with goals and that is what makes guys like Murray and Liam valuable to us.
“No one should underestimate the importance of players like that. It is important that goals come from more than one source in any team.
“Look at my old mate Frankie Lampard at Chelsea.
“He still has the knack of timing his runs to perfection and getting goals from midfield.
“At his age, he is still going strong and is even being linked with Manchester United because of that ability.
“So, ideally, I would like to have Murray and Liam here through to the end of the season at least.
“They have given us great service and if their future lies elsewhere, I know they are not the type to be contemplating downing tools. As long as they continued to play to the standard they have been setting this season, we could only thank them for their service over the past few years and wish them well.”
Lomas conceded there is still a chance of losing Davidson earlier, given that there has been serious interest in him from south of the border in particular.
“If, say, Murray were to sign a pre-contract and we received an offer, the decision would be down to the chairman,” added the Nothern Irishman.
“Murray is a 6ft 2in, box-to-box midfielder who has added goals to his game this season. So, of course, clubs were going to be interested in him. That was inevitable.
“He has shown more composure in the penalty area this season so there is no reason why he shouldn’t be getting 10 goals and more.
“If he does that for us, he will be even easier for his agent, Gary Mackay, to market.”
Despite wishing the duo would remain, Lomas is well aware that the Bosman ruling can work in your favour as well as against.
“We have been using the Bosman ruling to our advantage, with Richie Brittain being signed up on a pre-contract from Ross County,” he said.
“That is just the way it is in football nowadays.
“Look around you and very few two-year contracts are being handed out.
“There is a big turnover of players at the end of any season and this summer’s window will be worse than ever.
“Managers, like fans, have to be realistic and pragmatic. I think there is an acceptance from supporters now that these things are going to happen.
“Every manager is looking at potential players for his squad for next season, me included.”
Meanwhile, striker Craig Beattie was back training with Saints yesterday following a week’s trial at Notts County that failed to secure him a move.
Also, midfielder Jamie Adams is set to undergo surgery on a bulging disc in his back and is unlikely to feature in the team before the end of the campaign.
iroache@thecourier.co.uk