Swanson released as Saints consider budget

It is understood St Johnstone have released Danny Swanson.

The playmaker returned to McDiarmid Park two years ago for his third spell with the Perth club.

But a combination of injury and the form of others kept Swanson on the fringes this season.

Swanson was made available for transfer in January, with Dundee among the clubs linked with him, but a move did not materialise and his contract has now run out.

Tommy Wright first recruited Swanson on loan from Coventry

“Swanson was made available for transfer”

City five years ago and went back for him after spells with Hearts and Hibs respectively.

At his peak, he was Saints’ main creative threat.

In 2016-17 he scored 15 goals. The strike he will be best remembered for was the winner at Celtic Park in March 2015.

His career highlight came a decade ago, almost to the day, when he lifted the Scottish Cup with Dundee United.

With there being no sign of a return to football, Saints will be trimming their squad to cope with the financial fallout.

Caretaker boss Alec Cleland is working with head of football operations Kirsten Robertson on which out-of-contract players will be offered new deals. Talks have already begun with one of them, midfielder Murray Davidson.