Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning has played his last game for the club.
A bizarre incident during Saturday’s defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle provoked fan fury in the ground and on social media afterwards.
Gunning, who injured his knee during the second half, picked the ball up before the referee stopped play.
He then took himself to the touchline, sat down, and was eventually substituted.VIDEO: Gunning picks up the ball (incident starts at 7mins)
On his way to the tunnel, there have been claims he sarcastically applauded home supporters who were giving him some stick.
It is understood that the United hierarchy have deemed his behaviour to be unacceptable and have told Gunning that he wouldn’t play again this season.
And the decision has been arrived at – said to be mutually – to part ways.
A brief club statement read: “Gavin Gunning has left Dundee United by mutual consent. This is a private matter and the club will not make any further comment.”
The 25-year-old was brought back to United by Mixu Paatelainen midway through the season after leaving two summers ago.
Gunning’s form hasn’t been nearly as impressive as it was in his first stint, with the Tangerines’ central defensive problems all too apparent all too often in a dreadful Premiership campaign.
It is also the second time he has left Tannadice in controversial fashion.
Fans were less than impressed when he ran off the pitch in the immediate aftermath of the 2014 Scottish Cup final defeat to St Johnstone before claiming he had “done a lot for the club”.