Gillingham players have expressed their sadness at the sacking of Justin Edinburgh.

A number of the squad took to social media on Tuesday to praise the former boss.

Gills chairman Paul Scally spoke with the players shortly after informing Edinburgh and his coaching team that they were being dismissed.

Mark Byrne, who signed in the summer and previously played under Edinburgh at Newport, said he was “gutted to see gaffer go.”

The midfielder started his first league game in three months on Monday and said: “(He) brought me to the club. Wish him and (the) staff all the best. No doubt he will get a job quickly.”

Bradley Dack sat out Edinburgh’s last game through suspension but praised the former manager. Dack was last season’s League 1 player of the year.

He said: “Absolutely gutted to see the Gaffer and Kers go. Done a lot for me over these past two years and I won't ever forget that.

“I wish them all the best in the future and I know they will be successful.”

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Gills skipper Josh Wright, summed it up in one sentence, saying: “Gutted is a understatement.”

He later tweeted: “I can't thank the gaffer, Kers and the staff enough for everything they have done for me and the team in the time I have worked with them.

“I wish them every success for the future and look forward to seeing them back in the game very soon.”

Several young players were handed their Football League debuts under Edinburgh and they were quick to respond.

Teenager Darren Oldaker said “gutted isn't the word,” while fellow midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe said he would be “forever grateful” to the management team after the plucked him from the Tottenham foundation college in May 2015.

He said: “Hurt to see Gaffer and Kers (David Kerslake, assistant) gone today.

“Both brought me in and taught me a lot. They should be proud of the work they did.”

Young winger Elliott List said he was “devastated” and added: “I wish him (Edinburgh), Kers and Hats (Wayne Hatswell, coach) all the very best in the future.”

Billy Knott was first coached by Edinburgh as a kid and it was no surprise to see him wish the former boss good luck in the future.

The summer recruit said: “Gutted to see the gaffer go. (I’ve) got a lot of time for him and Kers and wish them all the best in the future.”

Striker Frank Nouble was signed by Edinburgh and faces an uncertain future himself. He agreed a short-term deal in the summer and that expired after the Oxford game on Monday.

He said: “Sad day to see Justin go. Great young coach and man. Future for him and his staff will be very bright I'm sure. Thanks for everything.”

Loan defender Deji Oshilaja tweeted: “Disappointed to see the gaffa and staff leave. Had a lot of great times. Wish them nothing but the best in the near future.”

Fellow defender Max Ehmer said: “Sad to see the gaffer and his staff go. They've been great to me, can't thank them enough. Wish them all the best in the future.”