St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas was not about to allow, Ross County counterpart, Derek Adams comments, that he ignored Richie Brittain's attempts to get out of a move to McDairmid Park, go unanswered. The Staggies captain agreed a pre-contract deal with the Perth Saints in January but has since controversially asked if he could walk away from the deal citing family reasons. However, Lomas, who is preparing his side to welcome County tomorrow - claims Brittain wanted to move to Saints when the deal was originally agreed.The Northern Irishman said: "I hear Derek Adams said I have blanked Richard but he blanked Richard to the extent that he was begging us to get him out of his contract in January. We tried to do that but we were quoted £50,000. He was desperate to come here. I haven't spoken to Richard out of respect to Ross County, I don't think that would be right. We feel we made a commitment to him. I turned down the chance to sign three or four players in his position. Neither Ross County nor anyone else offered him a two-year deal so we feel he should honour it. Where does it leave pre-contracts if he doesn't? We are being made out to be the bad guys but we gave him a two-year contract six months before his contract was going to expire. If he gets injured we are obligated."Lomas is also disappointed that the news of Brittain's plight broke in the lead-up to Sunday's game. He said: "I have a lot of time for Ross County but I am disappointed that it has come out this week, in the week leading up to the game. That is shabby. It was a bolt out of the blue. I hear Ross County knew six weeks ago so why didn't they contact us then? The crux of the matter is Ross County have had a good season and things have changed. If Ross County have offered him more money then why not just come out and say that? I am first to sympathise about family reasons but this is not the end of the world. We are two hours down the road, it is not as if we are in Alaska and we get Sundays and Wednesdays off. I just think that if you sign a contract then it should be honoured."
Source: ScottishFitba
Source: FOOTYMAD
