Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan shows his ruthless streak by sending back St Ledger
SEAN St Ledger's future has taken another bizarre twist after Middlesbrough revealed on Christmas Eve that he had returned to parent club Preston North End.[LNB] The breakdown of a fulltime move to Teesside has arrived despite recent claims from both Boro boss Gordon Strachan and Preston counterpart Alan Irvine that a permanent transfer was going to take place on January 1.[LNB] Confirmation that St Ledger will not be staying at Middlesbrough arrived less than a week after it was alleged Strachan had clashed with the player and explored the possibility of sending him back to Deepdale.[LNB] While Strachan had knocked back such suggestions, the Middlesbrough boss was clearly intent on moving him on again even if it was before he officially became a Middlesbrough player.[LNB] St Ledger has become a regular since making a 93-day loan switch that will have come at a substantial cost thought to amount to a six-figure sum given how Preston stood to make around £4.5m under the terms of the agreed permanent transfer.[LNB] Sean St Ledger has returned to Preston following the conclusion of his 93-day loan, read the short and sweet staement issued on December 24.[LNB] That was the case despite Irvine stating 24 hours earlier: Sean will sign for Middlesbrough on a permanent basis.[LNB] I wish Sean was coming back to us but he is not.[LNB] St Ledger made 15 appearances for Boro, and is available for Preston's festive fixtures with Barnsley and Sheffield United.[LNB] His exit is another indication that Strachan can be ruthless and the true extent of his plans for the squad he inherited is likely to be witnessed next month.[LNB] He is also likely to send back loan signings Isaiah Osbourne, Dave Kitson and Marcus Bent once their deals expire on December 28.[LNB] Then he is looking to make quick progress on his transfer targets, with Celtic trio Mark Wilson, Gary Caldwell and Glenn Loovens in his thinking, along with Rangers' Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty. Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry is under consideration, while he would still like to bring in Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Birmingham's Kevin Phillips.[LNB] Strachan has been puzzled by Boro's failure to win more than once since his appointment and he plans major changes after today's visit of Scunthorpe United.[LNB] But whoever he does bring in will have to come with the right character and he has made no secret of his desire to put together a team full of men.[LNB] Stricter rules and heavier fines have played a part and there have been players that have found the changes hard.[LNB] But while Strachan accepts he does not like anyone to step out of line, he also insists the training ground is a pleasant place to be.[LNB] I am sure the players will tell you they have a lot of good fun and laughs at the same time, said Strachan. It is fitness and intelligence you give them as well, that is all part of the responsibility of management. It might take a wee while but we will get there.[LNB] He does not like to compare his managerial style to those he has worked under, but he did acknowledge his experiences under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Aberdeen have helped.[LNB] I cannot speak about what has gone on before but I know what I do works, said Strachan, who was booed after his last two matches in charge on home soil.[LNB] I have kept to the same principles I had as a footballer and I have now got as a manager. I have picked up a lot of good habits from Alex Ferguson about how you should live your life and I carried that on as a player.[LNB] Through the discipline he set me I managed to play to a fair age and I am trying my best to make sure the players carry on to a fair age by making them disciplined in their lifestyle. I don't know what went before but that is just the way I like working.[LNB]
