Former Celtic and Rangers prospect Liam Burt has publicly hit out at Shamrock Rovers, accusing the League of Ireland giants of failing to communicate with him following his loan spell at Shelbourne.
Burt, who had his Shamrock Rovers contract terminated by “mutual agreement” on February 20, took to Instagram to expose his frustration with the club’s handling of his situation.
He also shared WhatsApp messages sent to Rovers’ staff, in which he slammed their lack of contact regarding his future, his loan move, and his rehabilitation from injury.
In a furious rant, Burt claimed he had received no updates from Rovers for over a year, branding their treatment of him as “appalling and downright disrespectful.”
He alleged that the club made no effort to check on his progress at Shelbourne, wish him luck, or provide support during his injury and subsequent surgery.
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“Not once I was contacted checking up on how I was or how it was going,” Burt wrote in a WhatsApp addressed to the staff at his old club.
“Not once was I contacted with a well done.
“And worst of all, since the season finished I have not been contacted once from yous about anything a plan for me, leaving me in no man’s land not knowing if I was coming or going and mentally challenged from what was happening.”
The former Scotland youth international also revealed that he had to arrange his own surgery without any assistance from Shamrock Rovers and was given no medical or physiotherapy support during his rehabilitation.
The leaked WhatApp messages went on to say: “Not once was I helped with my injury, and trying to sort the surgery, I had to organise that myself, which is disgraceful. And again, I was not once contacted checking up on me before surgery or asking how I was after surgery, or even contacting me giving me a plan and help with rehab since then. I was given no medical help or physio since I had surgery and had been to rehab on my own.
"It has been a week since I left the club and still heard nothing from yous, not like I’m surprised at this stage.
"I sincerely hope yous treat other people with a lot more respect going forward."
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Despite his clear frustration, Burt did acknowledge the support of Shamrock Rovers’ fans and the club’s players who had been successful in Europe in recent years.
An Instagram post on Friday [February 28] read: “I was going to put up a big paragraph explaining it all but thought I’d just share the text to the staff. Saves me writing it all out again.
“Anyway, I have no clue to how it ended up how it did and it’s a shame that it did end this way but thanks to the fans for the support and to the staff in the club who where nice and cared, I did really enjoy my time when I was there and was honoured to win my first trophy in the LOI.
“Thanks to my teammates as well, a great bunch of people who have won so much in the last number of seasons and done amazing in Europe which is admirable and it was an honour to share the time I had with yous.
“I wish you all well for the future.”
The 26-year-old, who won a league title with Shelbourne during his loan spell, remains a free agent after his release from Rovers.
His scathing criticism will no doubt raise questions about the club’s handling of player welfare and communication with loanees.
Shamrock Rovers have yet to publicly respond to Burt’s claims.
