Lomas hits back at Adams jibe

Published Apr. 20, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Rangers have been given a boost ahead of their Peterhead encounter with the return of Andy Little and Chris Hegarty.

Joint top-scorer Little will feature in the Ibrox clash for the first time since beating Elgin on March 16.

While Hegarty returns after serving a two-match ban for stamping on an opponent in last month's match with Montrose.

Manager Ally McCoist is however still facing selection concerns with Brazilian defender Emilson Cribari ruled out through injury, meaning teenager Canadian Luca Gasparotto could step in.

And Rangers winger Barrie MacKay (foot) previously ruled out for the remainder of the season.

McCoist's side will be aiming to preserve their record of never having lost at home to the visitors, who are just one place behind the Gers in second in the Scottish Third Division.

The most recent encounter between these two sides at Ibrox was earlier this season, with Rangers securing a 2-0 win over the Blue Toon.

The 29-year-old Staggies skipper signed a pre-contract with the McDiarmid Park club in January but has controversially expressed a desire to walk away from the deal for what he claims are family reasons.

However, Lomas, who is preparing his side to host County on Sunday in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - claims Brittain wanted to move to Saints when the deal was agreed.

The Northern Irishman said: "I hear Derek Adams said I have blanked Richard but he blanked Richard to the extent that he was begging us to get him out of his contract in January.

"We tried to do that but we were quote ?50,000. He was desperate to come here.

"I haven't spoken to Richard out of respect to Ross County, I don't think that would be right.

"We feel we made a commitment to him. I turned down the chance to sign three or four players in his position.

"Neither Ross County nor anyone else offered him a two-year deal so we feel he should honour it.

"Where does it leave pre-contracts if he doesn't?

"We are being made out to be the bad guys but we gave him a two-year contract six months before his contract was going to expire.

"If he gets injured we are obligated."

Lomas is also disappointed that news of Brittain's plight came in the lead-up to Sunday's game.

The former Manchester City and West Ham midfielder said: "I have a lot of time for Ross County but I am disappointed that it has come out this week, in the week leading up to the game. That is shabby.

"It was a bolt out of the blue.

"I hear Ross County knew six weeks ago so why didn't they contact us then?

"The crux of the matter is Ross County have had a good season and things have changed.

"If Ross County have offered him more money then why not just come out and say that?

"I am first to sympathise about family reasons but this is not the end of the world.

"We are two hours down the road, it is not as if we are in Alaska and we get Sundays and Wednesdays off.

"I just think that if you sign a contract then it should be honoured."