Ross County manager Jim McIntyre says the decision to release captain Richard Brittain was not taken lightly.
Brittain was one of 14 players told this week they would not be retained by the Staggies beyond the end of the season, with defender Darren Barr yesterday added to the list.
It signals an end to Brittain’s hugely successful seven-year stay with the Dingwall side, who he joined from St Mirren in 2008.
During his time with the club, the 31-year-old captained County to the Scottish Cup final in 2010, where they ultimately lost 3-0 against Dundee United, leading the Staggies to their first season in the top-flight two years later.
McIntyre says informing Brittain he had no future at the club was tough.
McIntyre said: “It was very much one of the harder decisions.
“I’ve got nothing but positives to say about Richie – he’s a club legend. I know how sore it is for him as I’ve been there myself as a player. He was hurting and I can understand why.
“He scored 50 goals and has made more than 250 appearances here. He’s been part of real success at Ross County, being the captain and inspirational figure.
“There’s a lot of soul-searching but I feel it’s the right decision. The decisions were very tough but I’ve got to do what I think is right for the club. It’s got to be done.”
McIntyre is now pressing ahead with his plans for next season, with Italian midfielder Raffaele De Vita the latest to agree a two-year contract extension.
Talks are also ongoing with Paul Quinn, Martin Woods, Scott Boyd, Michael Gardyne, Rocco Quinn and Steven Ross, while McIntyre has expressed his desire to keep on-loan Celtic midfielder Jackson Irvine at the club.
McIntyre has already secured attacker Brian Graham on a pre-contract from Dundee United and will look to make further reinforcements in the coming weeks.
McIntyre added: “It was a big squad, and looking at the list of players that are being released, Mark Brown has been the only regular in the last four or five months.
“If we can manage to retain the nucleus of the playing squad that we’re offering contracts to, there’s continuity being built on.
“It’s going to be another busy summer but hopefully after this one there won’t be the wholesale changes that have been made in the recent past.”
Ross County take on Kilmarnock in the Premiership tomorrow, and have been boosted by the news midfielder Filip Kiss has been cleared to play, after his red card from last weekend’s 2-1 win against Hamilton was rescinded.
If he plays the match will be Kiss’ last for the Staggies, with the midfielder being told he will return to parent club Cardiff City at the end of his loan deal.