New Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill denied reports claiming that midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Craig-Gardner-c9475 was unsettled at the club and wanted to move back to Birmingham City.
Reports revealed that the 25-year-old felt unsettled at the Stadium of Light and wanted a return to the Midlands after just six months with the Black Cats. Gardner was signed by previous manager Steve Bruce in the summer transfer window for a fee of £5 million.
If that is indeed the case then Gardner would be open to a move in the upcoming January transfer window. But since Birmingham City are in the Championship, Gardner could prefer a move to another Premier League side, for example Wolverhampton Wanderers, who
are reportedly interested in his services.
However, O’Neill revealed that was not the case with Gardner, whom he knew from his time at Aston Villa. The Northern Irish manager was certain the midfielder would settle down with the Black Cats and go on to have a successful career with them.
O’Neill said while speaking to reporters:
“I know Craig from our days together at Aston Villa. He really is a great character. He's been a family man for a long, long time. His family are down in the Midlands.
I think he wants to do his best to settle here and prove the move successful.”
Gardner began his football career with Aston Villa, graduating to the senior team in 2005. He left in 2010, after 59 appearances in the league and 5 goals to join Birmingham City. After they were relegated in 2010, he joined Sunderland in an attempt to restart
his career.
Sunderland are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League table, at 16th position and Martin O’Neill revealed that was also one of the reasons why Sunderland would not want any players leaving in the winter transfer window.
“I don't think we're in a position at this minute, on a more general note, to be letting people go in January, particularly given our situation at this minute.
I think from that viewpoint I just want everybody to try and knuckle down, get on with it and see where we are in the summertime.”
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