Gavin Gunning's Dundee United exile '˜not due to handball walk-off'

By The Newsroom
Published 14th Apr 2016, 00:00 BST
Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen tells Gavin Gunning to go back on to the field for treatment following the bizarre incident. Picture: SNSDundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen tells Gavin Gunning to go back on to the field for treatment following the bizarre incident. Picture: SNS
Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen tells Gavin Gunning to go back on to the field for treatment following the bizarre incident. Picture: SNS
Gavin Gunning's decision to pick the ball up and walk off the pitch during Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Inverness Caledonian Thistle is not why he won't play again for Dundee United.

While the incident is bound to feature high in the most bizarre incidents of the campaign, Tannadice manager Mixu Paatelainen revealed the player’s actions had “little” to do with him being exiled from the first team.

The club released a statement on Tuesday saying Gunning had left the club “by mutual consent” but the player has now been told he can continue training with United if he so desires. The saga has threatened to upset the club’s preparations for Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Hibs, which were further hit yesterday with the news Paul Paton is a major doubt with a knee injury.

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