TIME FOR SUNDERLAND TO CALL LAST ORDERS
SUNDERLAND cannot dither or make excuses on this one. They should seriously be considering the future employment of Darron Gibson today. On first viewing — in the opening 30 seconds of the video at least — there is a degree of sympathy for the player, who looks to have been caught out on camera giving an honest — if foulmouthed — assessment of the team and several of his colleagues. But then it becomes apparent how intoxicated Gibson appeared, just six days before the start of the season. You also remind yourself how poor he has been in red and white since joining the club in January, for it’s not as if he is in a position of strength when it comes to judging others. But what is most appalling is the threat he makes to punch a supporter’s ‘f****** head in’. He follows that up with a comment to a female who has joined the argument when he says: ‘Stay there, see what happens.’ If Gibson was sober and filmed calling out his team-mates or even getting into a heated debate, he would have a defence. But what defence does he have for appearing to be drunk in a bar full of Sunderland supporters just after they have lost 5-0 to Celtic? Putting yourself in that situation alone deserves reprimand. To then become involved in an exchange in which he threatens violence and admits he is ‘off his face’ is unprofessional and wholly unacceptable. Sunderland did not take action against former boss David Moyes when he threatened to slap a female reporter earlier this year. This time they must come down heavily on the latest employee to tarnish the name of this once-proud club. They should consider calling last orders on his Sunderland career.