Stirling Albion manager Stuart McLaren admitted he was disappointed to see Willie Robertson and Mark Lamont leave, but says the players’ departure is in the best interests of the club.

Neither player had featured since the Binos’ 6-0 defeat to East Fife last month and both watched Saturday’s draw with Queen’s Park from the stand before it was announced on Monday that they had been released.

McLaren said: “We are disappointed that they are not going to be part of the future. The two were offered new contracts and over the period of time since then they have not shown any strong indication that they wanted to stay.

"Unfortunately we have been disappointed with the actions of the two guys since that 6-0 defeat and with them not being willing to commit, we felt that it was the right thing to do for Stirling Albion to part company.

"We wish the two boys all the very best and we now have to work very hard at adding players who are going to be their equal, if not better.”

Despite the loss of the duo, who had put in some impressive performances over the course of the campaign, McLaren is convinced the players still at the club are capable of stepping into the breach.

He said: “In those wide areas, Moses has been threatening for some time. He did very well in the game against East Stirling.

"Tommy McAllister is another and I am sure if he is called upon he would do a terrific job. In the middle of the park we have different types of players but Craig Comrie, Sean Dickson and Aurelien Mazel have never let us down when called upon.

"There are enough players at the club to make sure that we will have a good chance of winning each game.”

The manager believes others now have a great opportunity to stake a claim for their place in the side as he begins to prepare for next season.

McLaren added: “While we have never given up the playoff hunt, because there is the slimmest of slim chances if we win all four game, a lot of thoughts now are going towards next season. We needed to be fair to the lads who are willing to commit to the club and give them the chance to show us what they have got.”