Dargo's staying... but Mason goes

Jun 27 2009 by Andrew Newport, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN striker Craig Dargo has signed a new two-year deal with the club – but boss Gus MacPherson has had to tell midfielder Gary Mason his time with the Buddies is over.

MacPherson is delighted to have persuaded pint-sized forward Dargo to remain at St Mirren Park as he looks to secure as much firepower as possible ahead of next season’s SPL campaign.

However, with his midfield roster already top-heavy and financial constraints squeezing his options, MacPherson has had to break the bad news to anchorman Mason that he is a luxury he simply can no longer afford.

The Buddies boss told Express Sports: “Craig Dargo has signed a new two-year deal but, unfortunately, we have had to withdraw our offer to Gary Mason and he now leaves the club. That is purely because of the financial situation.

“We have said all along that Craig was an important player for us and that’s why we offered him a new deal.

“He is a big asset to us, even though he got a bit frustrated last season that he hadn’t scored more goals.

“Despite that, he is a vital member of our squad with the assists that he creates.”

MacPherson would have liked to have kept Mason on his books but, with the global recession taking its toll on the club’s cashflow and fresh financial uncertainty surrounding the Scottish game in the wake of the collapse of the Setanta television deal, he now has to cut his cloth accordingly.

Mason signed on at St Mirren back in the summer of 2007 on the same day that Dargo, Will Haining – who has also recently left the club – and keeper Mark Howard checked in.

The former Dunfermline man made 61 appearances in the black and white of St Mirren – netting three goals – but found himself out of the team for large spells last season as a resurgent Hugh Murray claimed his spot in the midfield.

MacPherson admits that, despite Mason’s departure from St Mirren, he remains a fan of the combative midfielder.

“Gary is a very, very good player but, because of the cost-cutting we have had to do, we have had to let him go,” said MacPherson. “We have got to work within our resources and that has been explained to Gary.

“He goes with our best wishes.”

Former Kilmarnock striker Dargo faces a fight to nail down a starting place next season as MacPherson signed former Falkirk hitman Michael Higdon on a two-year deal earlier this week.

In addition, last season’s top scorer Billy Mehmet will be hoping to make a big impression again in the 2009/10 season.