Gary O'Neil has spoken for the first time after failing to secure a deal with Aberdeen.
The Pittodrie side were exploring the possibility of signing the out-of-contract midfielder after training with Derek McInnes' side earlier in the season.
But a contract for the former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham United, QPR and Norwich City did not materialise.
O'Neil, 36, opened up on the failed move to the Premiership side and his struggles to find a new employer after he leaving Bolton at the end of last season.
He said: “I am still keen to play, but have been without a club for a while and sometimes clubs look at that and think you’ve lost that competitive edge or that little bit of sharpness.
“After Bolton I thought I’d get a club which suited me and was close to getting a couple, which then fell through and it ended up dragging on longer than I expected.
“I was at Aberdeen for a little bit and nearly signed for QPR early in the summer, which would have been a great one in the Championship and London. That looked like it was going to happen, then didn’t towards the end.
“I’ve turned other stuff down as well, it’s just the way things go.”
