Liam Burt has openly expressed his deep dissatisfaction with Shamrock Rovers, criticizing the Dublin club for failing to support him during his loan spell at Shelbourne. The Scottish midfielder, who previously spent time at both Celtic and Rangers, left the League of Ireland side last week. Following his departure, Burt released a series of WhatsApp messages that were leaked to the public, revealing his anger and frustration at being largely ignored by Shamrock Rovers throughout his loan spell.
Burt, a Scotland Under-21 international, didn’t mince words as he blasted his former club for what he described as a total lack of communication and support. The young midfielder was sent on loan to Shelbourne, Rovers’ city rivals, but according to Burt, he received no contact from Shamrock Rovers after the move. He claimed that not only did the club fail to check on his progress, but they also left him to handle a serious injury on his own.
In the leaked WhatsApp messages addressed to the staff at Shamrock Rovers, Burt revealed his disappointment over the club’s treatment of him during and after his loan. “Not once was I contacted to check how I was doing or how things were going for me,” Burt wrote. “Not once did I receive a ‘well done’ or any kind of acknowledgment from anyone at the club for the work I was putting in. And worst of all, since the season finished, I have not heard a single word from anyone at Shamrock Rovers about any plan for my future. I was left in no man’s land, not knowing whether I was coming or going, and mentally, I was challenged by the complete lack of communication from the club.”
The young player’s frustration didn’t stop there. Burt emphasized that he was left to fend for himself when it came to dealing with an injury he had sustained. “Not once did anyone at Shamrock Rovers offer help with my injury or with the process of organizing surgery. I had to take care of everything myself, which I find utterly disgraceful. What is even worse is that not a single person from the club checked in with me before or after my surgery. No one asked how I was feeling, no one provided me with a rehab plan, and I was left completely on my own. I’ve had to go through the entire rehab process without any medical support or physiotherapy from Shamrock Rovers.”
The lack of follow-up care or communication from Shamrock Rovers is what seemed to trouble Burt the most. Despite his efforts to get back on track following surgery, he felt abandoned by the club that had sent him on loan in the first place. “I’ve had to do everything by myself. I wasn’t offered any medical or physio help, and I’ve been left to deal with everything alone. It’s been really difficult, and it’s not the kind of support you expect from a professional club,” he said.
Burt’s disappointment with Shamrock Rovers was made even clearer as he pointed out the prolonged period of silence he had experienced since leaving the club. “It’s been an entire week since I left the club, and I still haven’t heard anything from anyone at Shamrock Rovers,” he noted. “At this point, I’m not even surprised by the lack of communication. But I sincerely hope that going forward, the club treats others with more respect and professionalism than they showed me during my time there.”
Burt’s harsh words reflect his belief that Shamrock Rovers did not show the level of care or attention that a player in his position deserved, particularly after sustaining an injury and undergoing surgery. His experience, as detailed in the WhatsApp messages, paints a picture of a club that neglected not only his physical health but also his mental well-being. It’s a situation that, according to Burt, left him feeling isolated and unsupported at a time when he needed assistance the most.
The criticism is particularly sharp considering Burt’s background as a promising young talent who had come through the youth systems at two of Scotland’s biggest clubs, Celtic and Rangers. His expectations for support and professionalism would likely have been high, and his experience with Shamrock Rovers seems to have fallen short of those standards.
This incident has raised questions about the level of player care at Shamrock Rovers, particularly regarding their communication with players on loan. Burt’s accusations suggest that the club’s management may need to re-evaluate how they handle the welfare of players who are temporarily away from the team, especially when it comes to injuries and recovery.
In the aftermath of the WhatsApp leak, it remains to be seen whether Shamrock Rovers will respond to Burt’s claims or address the issues raised by the young midfielder. However, Burt’s message is clear: he hopes that no other player will have to endure the same lack of support and respect that he experienced during his time with the club. As he moves forward in his career, Burt will undoubtedly carry the lessons learned from this difficult period, but he also hopes that the clubs he plays for in the future will treat him—and other players—with the dignity and respect they deserve.
