FORMER IRELAND U21 defender Gavin Gunning has had his contract terminated by “mutual consent” by Scottish Premiership side Dundee United following an extraordinary incident in Saturday’s match against Inverness.
The 25-year-old, who is in his second spell with the club, walked off the pitch with the ball in his hand midway through the second-half in Saturday’s Scottish Premiership encounter.
However Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen has said that the incident has nothing to do with the Irish defender leaving the club.
“That had nothing to do with it. There haven’t been any fall-outs here. He was injured – he got a knock on his upper shin area – and he couldn’t carry on. He couldn’t kick the ball out. That’s why he picked the ball up and wanted the game stopped,” Paatelainen told BBC Scotland.
Paatelainen demanded that Gunning return to the pitch after receiving treatment on an apparent injury but was substituted shortly after.
Dundee United released a statement yesterday stating that there will be no further comment on the issue.
Gavin Gunning has left Dundee United by mutual consent. This is a private matter and the Club will not make any further comment.
Dundee United currently lie bottom of the Scottish Premiership, eight points adrift of Kilmarnock in 11th place.