Mccormack confirms ‘Gate-gate’ and is happy to be out the Villa door

Ross Mccormack refused to ignite a war of words with Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce after his switch to Nottingham Forest.

The striker joined Forest on loan until the end of the season on transfer deadline day after falling out of favour with Bruce.

Mccormack endured a nightmare time at Villa, scoring just three goals in 22 games following a £12 million move from Fulham in the summer.

His attitude was publicly questioned by Bruce, who said one of Mccormack’s excuses for missing training was that the electric gates on his house would not work.

Mccormack confirmed the story but disputed it made him miss training, only delaying him, and stopped short of criticising Bruce.

“The manager said what he felt he needed to say,” said Mccormack. “I have got my opinions, which I’ll keep to myself, but I’m out the door now and this is a good opportunity.

“It’s a true story actually. But I said I would be running late, not that I would be missing training.”

Villa, who signed Brentford’s Scott Hogan in a £12m deal on Tuesday, were keen to allow Mccormack out on loan although it was in the balance until deadline day.

Forest host Villa in the Sky Bet Championship tomorrow but Mccormack cannot play under the terms of his loan, however he is eager to kickstart his season at the City Ground.

“I think the move went through about one minute to 11,” he said.

“It’s a good opportunity at a good club. I am desperate to get on the goal trail. It has been a tough season.” Meanwhile, former Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk will miss Southampton’s EFL Cup final against Manchester United.

Saints’ Dutch centre-half suffered an ankle injury against Leicester on 22 January and faces up to three months on the sidelines.

That means he is certain to be out of the Wembley cup clash against Jose Mourinho’s United on 26 February.