Christian Ramirez has revealed Aberdeen TOLD him to go home and miss the final two games of last season and went as far as booking his flights for him, while also admitting it hurt to be stripped of the No.9 shirt in the summer.
The American striker was one of the few bright sparks of the Stephen Glass era as he notched double figures in his first six months but tailed off after Jim Goodwin was appointed.
He prompted fan fury when he was posted missing for the final two games of the 2021/22 season and returned home to the US. But the Columbus Crew striker, who has two goals in two games since returning to MLS, says all wasn't as it seemed.
Speaking to the Red Tinted Glasses Podcast, he said: "People just act like I got up and left, when that was never the case. After the game against Hibernian where I came on as a sub, I got a call the day after from the manager that I would not be in the squad for the next two games because we were safe and that I could go home. "When I asked him why he said that he wanted to give minutes to other guys who were fighting for a new contract and to young players who were coming through.