FORMER Dell midfielder Jim Magilton was "devastated" to see Saints relegated from the Premiership - and has criticised chairman Rupert Lowe for his role in the drop.

The veteran former Northern Ireland international made 148 appearances for Saint before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday, soon after Lowe, below, took over as chairman, in 1997.

Now 36, Magilton has made 259 appearances for Ipswich since moving to Portman Road from Hillsborough in 1999 and, despite his age, has been an ever-present for the Tractor Boys in 2005/06.

He said: "I spent some enjoyable years down on the south coast with Southampton and I was particularly devastated for them.

"I didn't think would see the day that they would get relegated from the top flight.

"That was hugely disappointing for the people down there and I was sad for them because I had a really good time there and still know a few people there."

Alan Ball brought Magilton to The Dell from Oxford for £600,000 in 1994.

"When I was there Rupert Lowe had just fallen out with Graeme Souness and we know Graeme doesn't suffer fools gladly.

"Lowe had brought in Dave Jones and he didn't stand by him very well either and I feel he didn't handle that well.

"I didn't know him too well because he had just come in and my contract was expiring but he did little to try and keep me so we went our separate ways."

Magilton has followed the Saints soap opera with interest since his departure.

"It has been a slightly crazy situation at Southampton for a while and I had a sense that Rupert Lowe was always going to be his own man," he remarked.

"While he has made decisions he thought were for the good of Southampton FC, a few have been mistakes and have put the club in a position they don't want to be.

"The Paul Sturrock affair didn't go down particularly well and he has gone on to show what a good manager he is by getting Sheffield Wednesday promoted. His reputation was slightly tarnished at Southampton after doing so well in Scotland and taking Plymouth up.

"That episode did not reflect well on the club and particularly the chairman.

"It was Rupert Lowe's call and that followed with relegation.

"They were quite happy to be steady in the Premier League and playing against the top teams.

"It seems Lowe has been trying to bring a bit of razzamatazz to the club, but the appointment of Clive Woodward appears to have been made o