"Mac Allister's at an age now, 27, where his next contract is going to be the biggest one of his career," Richards said.
"He is someone who will be looking to be remunerated properly after seeing his team-mates getting bumper pay rises so, of course he's going to put it out there that he came very close to leaving in the summer.
"I'd say it's a clever tactic but how many times have we been here with footballers when they get a microphone put in front of them? If it wasn't going to happen here before a Champions League game, it would have happened with Argentina on international duty.
"Objectively speaking, if you're going to canvas the opinions of a decent size of fans from last season, asked them what you thought on Mac Allister and whether he was deserving of a new deal, I think a large majority of that sample size would say 'no' simply because of the performances that he put in.
"However, it's easy to focus on the negatives of last season whereas, his first two seasons at he was an important player for us. "
