Airdrie hero says no fallout in New Broomfield exit, as he dismisses Accies return rumours
Defender Craig Watson on leaving the Diamonds after a mostly successful four-year spell
Craig Watson says there was no fallout at Airdrie and it was just time for something new, as he severed a four-year spell at the club.
Watson didn't play as often as he would have liked last season, making only 28 appearances, and was made captain for a shadow team in their last home league game of the season, a 0-0 draw with Ayr United.
The defender is looking for his next step, and hopes to have something sorted out within the next week or so, but is remaining tight-lipped.
But the former Hamilton Accies and East Fife defender has fond memories of winning promotion to the Championship, winning the SPFL Trust Trophy and going into the Premiership play-offs, before fighting relegation at the end of last season.
Watson, 30 and nicknamed 'Janny' said: 'It's just time to move on. It was a mutual decision, we shook hands, everything's left on good terms, and I wish the club nothing but success in the future.
'I had a great four years, but I just felt it was time for a new challenge in my career.
'It was great at Airdrie – at the end of every season there was something to play for, even in the final season.
'Though it's not the play-offs we would have liked to have been in at the start of the season, it was still meaningful, important games that you'll remember.
'It was a great time, a successful period. In the first year we got to the play-off finals, and had the lows of getting beat by Queen's Park, after being so confident going into it.
'We overcame that defeat and got promoted the next year, and followed that up with a cup win, which was great, to give the fans something to cheer about and remember. I was proud to be a part of that squad.'
Watson can't say yet what his plans are for next season, but scotched online rumours of a return to Hamilton Accies.
He said: 'There's nothing concrete just now, though I can't say too much. Over the next week or so hopefully things will be a lot clearer at my end.
'That's the first I've heard of Accies! I have ties with the club because that's where I came through the youth and made my first-team debut and what not.
'But that's just a rumour, I haven't heard anything.
'I want to continue playing at as high a level as possible. Championship would be fantastic, and I can't say anything at this moment in time, but hopefully in a week or two I'll be able to talk about it more.'
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