Gavin Gunning has spoken for the first time on the bizarre handball incident that saw him get the boot from Dundee United.
The Irishman left Tannadice by ‘mutual consent’ just days after the game against Inverness in April.
Gunning picked up the ball in open play midway through the second half and walked off the field. Then-gaffer Mixu Paatelainen ordered him back on the field, only for the 25-year-old to sit down and wait for medical treatment.
Footage of the incident went viral across the globe.
Today, the defender said he has no bad feelings towards the club and Arabs.
On the handball, Gunning said: “It was one of those unfortunate things. I just picked the ball up because I was injured. I didn’t want to take any more risks.
“I had a nerve problem in my knee as it turns out but it was something we couldn’t really get to the bottom of.
“I’ve had two operations on my knee in the past so it’s not always been easy for me.
Gavin Gunning. #stayclassy pic.twitter.com/7pipXGXxvU
— OurDUFC (@OurDUFC) April 9, 2016
“I obviously didn’t want things to turn out the way they did at Dundee United because I believed when I rejoined that we could still stay up.
“But there’s no bad feeling on leaving and I’ve always had a good relationship with the fans which won’t change. United are a good club and I wish them all the best for the future.”
Gunning added that he’s likely to head to England in a bid to find a new club.
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