Gary Holt is adamant Anthony Stokes deserves praise not pelters for ripping up his Livingston contract without taking a penny.
And the Lions boss has told Stokes’ critics that the 32-year-old still has the “drive and determination” to play at a high level.
Record Sport revealed on Tuesday that the striker had left the Premiership outfit by mutual consent, just three weeks after signing a one-year deal and having failed to play a single minute for the club.
Holt says the ex-Hibs and Celtic player toiled with a hip flexor complaint, which was repeatedly exacerbated when he attempted to train on Livi’s plastic surface.
He had no complaints about Stokes’ application but accepts it became increasingly clear “it just wouldn’t work out” and the parting of ways was amicable.
Holt said: “I need to give him a pat on the back because he came to us and said, ‘It’s not working, I can’t get there and don’t feel right’.
“For someone who is an employee to say, ‘I think it’s best we go our separate ways and you guys can use the wage elsewhere’ says a lot about him.
“Anthony gets pilloried on social media and so much is written about him. But people don’t know the whole story of what’s going on and if they did, maybe they would think differently.
“Who else would be willing to leave without taking a penny? Credit where credit is due.”
