Manager delivers warning on in-demand ex-Middlesbrough midfielder after rejected offer

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has warned interested parties that they won't be selling former Middlesbrough midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce on the cheap this summer, having already turned down one bid.

The former Boro man has impressed since leaving the Riverside and joining the Scottish Premiership side. In a side that also included Toyosi Olusanya and loanee Zach Hemming, St Mirren finished fifth to ensure they qualified for a European competition for the first time in their history. Boyd-Munce played a huge part in that in the second half of the season, earning his first two Northern Ireland caps as a result.

His form in the second half of the season, where he displayed his quality and composure in possession and also his set-piece threat, has led to plenty of interest in signing him this summer. In fact, the Buddies have already turned down one offer from Leyton Orient believed to be worth £175,000, with Wigan Athletic also credited with interest in the 24-year-old.

READ MORE: Caolan Boyd-Munce exclusive on the heartbreaking decision he took to leave 'special' Middlesbrough

Reacting to the interest, Robinson told our sister site the Daily Record: “We won’t sell players for cheap any more. We don’t need to do that. Footballers have a choice and I hold no grudges. They can stay and see their contracts out but we won’t sell anyone under value. We rate Caolan very highly and we think there’s a lot more to come.

"We won’t entertain offers that aren’t in the region that we want. We certainly won’t be letting him go for the bids that have come in. He’s a big part of what we’re doing. He needs to remain focused on that because there’s a lot of competition in the squad. We know what qualities he has, we expect teams to be interested in our good players after our performances last season.”

While every player will ultimately have their price for a club with the resources of St Mirren, they have offered the former Boro and Birmingham man a new deal at the SMiSA Stadium in the hope he resists temptation of a move back to England. Having helped resurrect the midfielder's career after he made the 'heartbreaking' decision to leave Boro by mutual termination of his contract due to a lack of first-team opportunities, the Buddies boss still believes St Mirren is the best place for him to be.

“St Mirren provide a platform for players,” he continued. “Caolan has certainly progressed with our coaching staff here and his application and talent. His development should be here, I’m biased I know. Of course, everyone has a price. We are a club that sells players but the days when players left for £50,000 won’t be happening.

"We’ve progressed from that and are determined to build a football club and attract more players like him. He’s a boy who lost his way a little bit, didn’t have a club, and we took a chance. He’s developed and that’s the platform St Mirren can give. Eventually, players leave but they will leave on my terms and the club’s terms.”