James Scott: Fan 'backlash' towards striker helped lead to Exeter City exit

The last of James Scott's four Exeter City goals was the opener in a 4-1 loss at Charlton on 3 October

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he stopped picking striker James Scott due to the "backlash" he was getting from some supporters.

The 23-year-old left on Wednesday to join St Mirren, initially on loan before a permanent move in the summer.

Scott scored four goals in 43 appearances during a year at St James Park and had started just six League One games this season.

"James was a player that had a really difficult time here," Caldwell said.

"He was somebody that we were reluctant to use because of the backlash he was getting from the crowd.

"It was a difficult situation for us to be in where we saw a player every day that was giving everything, that had moments of quality, but we also knew the negativity that was coming, so he became a player that became very difficult for us to use."

Scott initially joined City from Hull City for an undisclosed fee on transfer deadline day last January, but his time in Exeter was punctuated by a number of injuries.

"He's a really talented football player who, for different reasons, his career has stalled at different moments," Caldwell added to BBC Radio Devon.

"We brought him here to try and resurrect his career, I think he had flashing moments of that quality but just couldn't quite get a sustained period of time - whether he was in the team or stayed fit - and because of that I felt it was in his best interests that he got an opportunity to play.

"He's going to work with a manager that he's worked with before back home in Scotland.

"Everyone at the club wishes him all the best and hopefully he manages to put everything together and show that talent on a regular basis, because when he does he could be a fantastic player."