“Baffled” Ruari Paton says Jon Brady’s work-rate comments were “not true”

Former Port Vale striker Ruari Paton says manager Jon Brady’s comments about him were “a bit of a slight on my character” but “there’s no resentment.”

Paton rejoined St Johnston after an earlier loan spell last season. The striker was loaned out by Vale manager Brady in January and subsequently transfer listed on his return to the club.

Paton told the press he was aware of comments Brady made about him. Last season, the Vale boss responded to a question in a supporters forum asking why the striker had been allowed to go to St Johnstone on loan. Brady replied that there was an issue with “non-negotiables” that Paton didn’t fulfil in a game against Bolton Wanderers.

It’s not who I am. I’ve gone all the way down the leagues and had to build my career back up. Work-rate is something that I’ve never been questioned on…

The Irish striker told the Courier newspaper: “My rebuttal to that would be – ask any player I’ve played with, or any other manager I’ve played for, and that is definitely not me. It was a bit of a slight on my character but it’s not true. It’s not who I am.

“It didn’t hurt me because it’s not true. It was a bit of a slight on my character but it’s not true. It’s not who I am. I’ve gone all the way down the leagues and had to build my career back up. Work-rate is something that I’ve never been questioned on.”

Paton said that he knew his time at Vale Park was up after the comments saying: “I remember thinking: ‘If that’s his opinion, I can’t change that’. But I don’t think anybody can watch the games I play in and think there’s a lack of trying. That’s what his opinion of me was – I wasn’t valued or respected. I had to go. There’s no resentment.”

However, the Irishman still had warm words for the club adding: “The supporters down at Port Vale were brilliant. So were my team-mates and the staff but I needed to look after my own career and go somewhere I could prosper.”