Gibson’s career is in tatters

But I’ll have to pick him, admits Sunderland boss

SUNDERLAND boss Simon Grayson says Darron Gibson’s reputation is in tatters after his drunken row with supporters — but he will give him a second chance because the club are so short of options.

The 29- year- old was caught on camera threatening to punch a fan during a foul-mouthed rant in which he also branded his own side ‘f****** s***’ and suggested team- mates Lamine Kone, Wahbi Khazri and Jeremain Lens ‘don’t give a f***’ about the club.

Gibson has been fined two weeks’ wages after apologising to Grayson and the rest of the squad on Monday.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder has promised his manager he does not have an alcohol problem after he admitted during the recording that he was ‘off his face’ just hours after Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by Celtic and six days before the start of the season.

And Grayson says Gibson will be considered for selection for tomorrow’s televised curtain-raiser at home to Derby County.

‘We’re probably not in a position to move people out of the squad — we don’t have the strength in depth,’ he said.

‘You don’t encourage any player to be drinking before a game. But I can’t be with them 24/7. It’s going to cost him a lot of money and his reputation is in tatters.

‘ It’s disappointing, but he has apologised and been reprimanded by the club. Now we move forward with the football and he’ll be under consideration.’

Grayson has revealed that he and Gibson had a frank discussion on Monday, in which he confronted him about alcohol consumption.

‘We had a long chat and I said if you need help with anything then the football club will do what is required,’ said Grayson.

‘Footballers can get into trouble with alcohol or other addictions, but he’s assured me there are no problems. I trust him.’

Grayson, meanwhile, has said he will let any player go who does not want to be at the club.

‘I’ve said if players don’t want to be here then I will drive them to wherever they want to go. I want players fighting for every point. I don’t need anybody who would give half measures,’ he added.

The Gibson saga has left Grayson under no illusions about the size of the job he has taken on.

He said: ‘It’s not ideal. But you don’t think everything will be rosy. There are problems that you never expected. It’s part of being a manager.

‘If it was all picking a team and doing training, managers would enjoy themselves a lot more than they do.’