DUNDEE manager Neil McCann says that he couldn't keep Steven Caulker prisoner after the defender negotiated his release from the club on Friday.
The 26-year-old was allowed to walk away from the season left on his contract for free, despite a reported bid of £2million from Norwegian champions Rosenborg being knocked back in April.
But McCann insists the Dens Park club were left with little choice but to let the player leave as he no longer wanted to play for the team.
“When a player decides he doesn’t want to be here and he wants to leave to try other challenge, then you can’t hold someone prisoner," McCann said.
“He was contracted to the club until the summer, but he was strong that he wanted to go.
“He’s the type of character that I’m trying to weigh up if we keep a player who doesn’t want to be here, does he become an influence within the dressing room we don’t need?
“We spoke to Steven, he wanted to go and the club took the decision that was right.
“We would have loved some money for him. He was on a big, big wage for this club.
“We managed to strengthen in that department and he goes with our best wishes because to get someone of Steven’s stature to our club was a great signing, particularly when we lost Jack Hendry.
“It’s a testament to him and the club that we did turn down a big bid, but at that time he had a bit of love back for the game.
“He helped keep our Premiership status, he goes with our best wishes.”
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