WHYTE SORRY

OXFORD United team-mates and Irish League players have rallied behind Gavin Whyte after the Northern Ireland winger apologised for performing a lewd act in public.

Whyte (above), whose antics on a drunk night out in Belfast were branded “unacceptable” by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’neill, aired his regret on social media yesterday. Video footage of the 22-year-old - who scored on his national debut in a 3-0 win over Israel in September - in a state of undress was posted on social media on

Monday. “I apologise to anyone I offended,” said Whyte. “All I can say is that I was stupid. It shouldn’t have happened and I completely regret being part of it.”

Oxford winger Jordan Graham was quick to offer his support to his Us team-mate on Twitter, writing: “Gone now brother! Let’s get some goals (on) Saturday.”

A number of Irish League players also urged Whyte, who joined Oxford from Crusaders in August, to move on.

Crues goalkeeper Sean O’neill tweeted: “Proud of you! Good man!” while Ballymena United captain Jim Ervin, right, wrote “head up and move on wee man”.

In yesterday’s apology, Whyte added: “I want to thank everyone for the nice messages and hopefully they see it for what it is – a drunk night out where I did something childish and wrong. I know that, but it happened and now I have to try and move on.

“I hope the Oxford United and Northern Ireland fans can forgive me for a moment of real stupidity.”

Earlier this week, Northern Ireland boss O’neill, left, said: “I know Oxford will discipline him for this significant mistake and both his club and the Irish FA will put in place measures to make sure he learns from it.”