Doncaster Rovers: Strachan praises departing players

Rovers have declared their intention to release Mathieu Baudry, Andy Williams, Craig Alcock, Cedric Evina, Tyler Walker and Reece Fielding while Liam Mandeville, Mitchell Lund and Tyler Garratt have been made available for transfer.

Strachan declared them all excellent professionals and says they will be assets to their next employers.

“The squad has been such a close-knit unit this season, which we’ve needed to have,” Strachan said.

“I spoke to the squad after the game on Saturday and said on behalf of the staff, they’ve been an absolute credit and a joy to work with.

“Football moves on and they’re aware of that.

“But I would be happy to reference them to anyone because their professionalism has been really good.

“It’s been an excellent squad of players to work with on a daily basis and I wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.”

Strachan says making decisions about players’ futures is tough but part of the game when looking to improve over the summer.

He said: “The decisions are multi-faceted really.

“You have to look at savings you can make, the areas you can improve and what you’ve got to do to be able to do that.

“I’ve been there. I’ve been on the wrong side of it as a player.

“It’s a ruthless game but there is nothing but good will that we have towards those guys because they helped us get promoted last season and they’ve helped this season as well.”